Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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420. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to seek a derogation or a variation from the Nitrates Directive to allow slurry spreading dates based on suitable weather rather than fixed dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22536/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Set closed periods for the spreading of fertilisers, including slurry, is a requirement of the Nitrates Directive and is mandatory in every Member State. The purpose of closed periods is to protect ground and surface water bodies, including drinking water sources, by prohibiting the application of fertilisers when such application poses an unacceptable risk to water courses. Good agricultural practice involves the application of fertilisers as early as practicable in the growing season in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution to water.

The closed periods in Ireland were decided following extensive consultation and were discussed with farming bodies and the European Commission at the time. They extend from 15 October to 12, 15 or 31 January depending on location in the country. The Nitrates Directive is given effect by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010, commonly known as the Nitrates Regulations. In accordance with the Nitrates Directive, the Nitrates Action Programme falls due for review this year. A comprehensive public consultation process has been initiated and will close on 12 June 2013. All submissions received on foot of this consultation will be given full consideration by me and my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.