Written answers

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fodder Crisis

Photo of Séamus KirkSéamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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547. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in view of the fodder crisis and the fact that farmers are forced to graze land normally set aside for silage harvesting, he will examine the Nitrates Directive, to allow farmers to use additional fertiliser to boost silage volumes for the coming winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22726/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The rules governing the use of nitrates and phosphates are set out in the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010 commonly referred to as the Nitrates Regulations. Responsibility for these Regulations rests with my colleague, Minister Phil Hogan, Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government.

These regulations transpose the EU Nitrates Directive into law in Ireland with the objective of the Regulations being the protection of ground and surface waters including drinking water sources, through the application of measures to reduce the risk of nutrient enrichment from Agriculture to water.

The unusually wet weather in 2012 resulted in reduced fodder being available on many farms for last winter. The cold and wet weather in the early part of 2013 led to greatly reduced grass growth this Spring, culminating in an acute shortage of fodder.

Clearly the long-term answer to recent fodder shortages is increased grass production as soon as possible. I have asked the advisory services to prioritise advice to farmers in the period ahead and to focus on the optimum use of fertiliser in generating feed for the national herd.

I understand that sales to date this year of fertiliser are running significantly behind the corresponding levels of recent years. This indicates that, in the short term at least, there is significant scope for farmers to increase fertiliser usage, where appropriate, taking their location, soil fertility and other relevant factors into account, without exceeding the limits set out in the Nitrates Regulations.

The situation is being constantly monitored and I will continue to work with all stakeholders in the sector to get through this difficult period caused by very unusual weather patterns.

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