Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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84. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the slurry spreading deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30175/16]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will extend the period of time for slurry spreading due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in 2016; if he has flexibility as per Northern Ireland to extend the deadline in cases of reasonable cause; if Ireland's temperate oceanic climate is factored when complying with the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30196/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 86 together.

The Nitrates Directive and Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme are given legal effect by the consolidated European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014, as amended. The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers.

Good agricultural practice involves the land spreading of organic fertilisers as early as practicable in the growing season in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution risks to water courses and groundwaters. In accordance with the requirements of the Nitrates Directive, the Regulations include provisions regarding periods when the land application of certain types of fertilisers is prohibited. In addition, the Regulations prohibit such application at any time of the year when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or heavy rain is forecast.

Specified closed periods for the spreading of fertilisers, including slurry, are a key aspect of the Nitrates Regulations. They are a requirement of the Nitrates Directive and are mandatory in every Member State. The closed periods in Ireland were decided following extensive consultation and were discussed with farming bodies and the European Commission when Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme was being introduced. The provisions of the Regulations are underpinned by scientific research and good agricultural practice. The most recent scientific studies carried out on a diverse range of farm and soil types as part of Teagasc’s on-going Agricultural Catchments Programme has provided further evidence in support of the efficacy of the prohibited spreading periods in reducing nutrient losses to waters.

The Nitrates Action Programme will be reviewed again in 2017 and my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is now commencing the review process prior to formal engagement with the European Commission. The ultimate aim of the review process is to gain approval for a 4th Nitrates Action Programme for Ireland by the end of 2017, including the renewal of Ireland’s derogation. An important aspect of the review process will be a public consultation exercise in early 2017.

Ireland faces considerable challenges in meeting the requirements of the Water Framework Directive to bring all waters back to good status at least. Taking those challenges and the evidence in support of the benefit of closed periods into consideration I have no plans at present to extend the spreading periods for organic fertilisers in 2016 but am monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis in conjunction with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.