Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the duplication of inspections of farms under the nitrates directive; the negotiations that are taking place to end this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35776/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Primary responsibility for the implementation of the Nitrates Regulations has rested with the local authorities since 2005. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also checks for compliance with the Regulations during the cross-compliance inspections carried out as part of the Single Farm Payment scheme. Discussions are ongoing between my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and local authority representatives in order to rationalise the existing arrangements; in the meantime these continue to apply.