Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 497: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on altering the regulations pertaining to the spreading of slurry on farmland; his further views on permitting farmers to spread slurry when the weather is dry, instead of during the set period as currently outlined in the regulations pertaining to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22092/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Nitrates Directive and Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme are given legal effect by the consolidated European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2009. The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers.

Good agricultural practice involves the land spreading of slurry as early as practicable in the growing season in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution risks to water courses and groundwaters. In accordance with the requirements of the Nitrates Directive, the Regulations include provisions regarding periods when the land application of certain types of fertilisers is prohibited. In addition, the Regulations prohibit such application at any time of the year when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or heavy rain is forecast. There are no proposals to amend the Regulations in this regard.