Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 575: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the arrangements that have been made for compensating farmers for the expenditure involved in replacing tanks for storing milk which run on R22 gas; the way this will be administered; the way other countries are managing this change-over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5084/10]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 576: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the date of the deadline for the removal of tanks for storing milk using R22 gas; the reason this policy has been implemented; the cost of such a measure for the industry as a whole and for each individual farmer, as assessed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5085/10]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 577: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the policy of banning R22 for refrigeration will be reversed due to the heavy cost it imposes on farmers during the current economic period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5086/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 575 to 577, inclusive, together.

HCFC-22 (or R22) is a refrigerant gas that has been commonly used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems for more than four decades. However, releases of HCFC-22, such as those from leaks, are damaging to the environment as they contribute to ozone depletion. HCFC-22 gas has been banned from use in tanks used for the storage of milk in consequence of an EU Regulation, which is under EU law directly applicable in all Member States, on Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). Regulation 2037/2000 (EC), on ODS, essentially banned the use of HCFCs for the manufacture of new equipment in all refrigeration and air-conditioning applications. Furthermore, it prohibited the use of virgin HCFC gases, including HCFC-22, in all existing refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump units from 1 January 2010.

Compliance with this regulation does not require the removal or prohibit the use of existing equipment containing HCFCs. The regulation affects existing milk storage tanks only in so far as requiring that recycled or reclaimed HCFC-22 is used in place of virgin gas during the service and maintenance of such equipment. This will be permitted until 31 December, 2014 after which time viable alternative products must be used in its place. The ban is considered appropriate due to the damaging effect of ODS and because cost effective alternatives are readily available.

As HCFCs are being phased out over an extended period of time, since 2001, it was not anticipated that any significant costs would be incurred by any sector. My Department has had ongoing consultation with the refrigeration industry on ODS through its representative body, the Institute of Refrigeration Ireland, to keep members up to date on developments. Given the lengthy phase - in period, industry has had sufficient time to prepare for any changes these regulations may generate and the issue of compensation does not arise.

The Environmental Protection Agency is the competent authority for the implementation of the ODS Regulations and provides advice and guidance on the controlled use of ODS through its website. The EPA also produced guidance notes for end users of HCFCs to raise awareness and assist in the phase out process. The guidance notes are available on the Agency's website, www.epa.ie. Information and guidance is also available on the Institute of Refrigeration's website, www.instituteofrefrigerationireland.ie .