Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the pressures on public expenditure, he will address the issue in which a number of State agencies are inspecting farms on the same issue, for example, his Department and local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45764/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The position is that the Local Authorities are the designated control authorities under the Nitrates Regulations (SI no. 378 of 2006) which are the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance. As such they have legislative obligations in terms of monitoring and controls. My Department has responsibility for nitrates inspections in the context of the cross-compliance arrangements associated with Direct Payment Schemes to farmers. The Nitrates Directive is one of the 18 Statutory Management Requirements under cross-compliance.