Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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254. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the situation facing farmers who were unable to empty slurry tanks due to wet ground conditions in advance of the 15 October nitrates directive deadline; if he will liaise with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to ensure that flexibility is shown to affected farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31315/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations 2014 give legal effect in Ireland to the Nitrates Directive and to our Nitrates Action Programme.

The Directive requires all member states to define set periods when the land application of fertiliser is not allowed. Data from the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) operated by Teagasc support the current closed periods in Ireland. A key message from the research is that the majority of nutrient loss from agriculture to water occurs during the closed period.

The Department of Housing Planning Community and Local Government will shortly commence negotiations with the European Commission on a new Nitrates Action Programme and an associated derogation. This will be done in close conjunction with my Department and it will be important to demonstrate that the current arrangements are sustainable in Ireland. Agreeing a new NAP before the end of 2017, and maintaining the derogation (which is currently availed of by almost. 7,000 farmers), is an important aspect of sustaining balanced growth in the rural economy.

There are no proposals at present for any variation to the terms of the NAP, but where there is a risk to animal welfare due to circumstances outside the farmer's control, such as flooding of tanks, farmers are invited to contact the Nitrates section of my Department at 053 916344.