Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

566. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline his timetable for the review of the Nitrates Directive; if he will replace calendar restrictions on the spreading of slurry with a system based on weather and soil conditions which could be coordinated between the Met Service and Teagasc; if he will ensure that the definition of soiled water is in line with that of other EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27285/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In accordance with the Nitrates Directive, Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme is due for review this year and this is currently under way. As part of the review a 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 myself and my colleague the nister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It is intended that the review process, including legislative amendments if any, will be completed before the end of this year. It would be inappropriate to anticipate any outcomes of the review process in advance of its conclusion.

However, it should be noted that s et closed periods for the spreading of fertilisers, including slurry, are a mandatory requirement of the Nitrates Directive. 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.