Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding slurry exportation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14427/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Nitrates Regulations, which are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, require farmers to keep within the limit of 170 kg of organic nitrogen from livestock per hectare per year, or up to 250 kg per hectare if approved for a nitrates derogation by my Department.

The continuation of this nitrates derogation is of critical importance to Ireland achieving its targets under the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. The derogation will again come up for renewal in conjunction with a review of our National Action Programme in 2013.

In order to remain within the limits set down above, a farmer has the option of exporting organic manures to another farmer and a record of such movements must be submitted to my Department before the end of December in any given year.

The additional requirement to submit these forms by the end of December each year was introduced in 2011. My Department provided interim Nitrogen and Phosphorus statements in August 2011 to farmers who were considered to be at risk of exceeding the regulatory limits, and the requirement to submit records before the end of 2011 was clearly stated in this correspondence. In addition my Department placed advertisements in the farming press highlighting this requirement.

It should also be noted that to facilitate as many farmers as possible to submit exports forms for 2011, an extension was granted until the end of January 2012.