Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers who have applied for the nitrates derogation who have applied for REPS 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4879/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The new REPS 4 scheme allows grassland farmers to apply for REPS even if they are operating above the general limit of 170 kgs of organic nitrogen per hectare laid down in the Nitrates Directive, provided that they apply for a nitrates derogation. In 2008, 603 REPS 4 farmers applied for a derogation.

I welcome the fact that more intensive farmers are joining REPS, as it means that our most productive farming is being carried out within a framework of prescribed environmental standards.