Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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302. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding nitrates regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4801/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Firstly, the Nitrates regulations fall under the remit of my colleague, Minister Coveney.

The first Nitrates Action Programme (2006) included a transitional provision to encourage recycling of pig and poultry manure and spent mushroom compost. This provided additional time to these industries to comply with the limits set down for phosphorus applications. This provision was included in the Nitrates Regulations, with the agreement of the Commission, as it was recognised that these industries faced a significant challenge in securing additional lands to comply in the first instance with the Nitrogen limits set down but more critically, to fully comply with the more limiting element for these sectors i.e. phosphorus.

This provision was due to end at the end of 2010 but during the review of Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme in 2010, the difficulties faced by the industry as a result of (a) the dioxin crisis and (b) escalating feed costs was recognised and the transitional arrangement was further extended.

The 2010 Regulations provided for a 2 year extension to the full transitional arrangement followed by the graduated reductions in 2013 (5kg/ha) and 2015 (3kg/ha) and full compliance with the Phosphorus limits by 2017.

Since the introduction of the regulations, a number of measures have been introduced by my own Department which benefitted pig and poultry producers, such as access to grant aids schemes such as the current TAMS scheme, supporting the industry in achieving compliance.

My Department also facilitated the streamlining of the submission of records for the movement of pig slurry and poultry manure. Prior to the introduction of the Nitrates regulations records of movements of pig slurry and poultry manure were submitted to the EPA and there was also a requirement for a nutrient management plan to be prepared for a farmer importing pig slurry/poultry manure. This is no longer the case and records are now submitted directly to my Department and a nutrient management plan is no longer required. This has helped to remove a barrier to the use of these valuable fertilisers.

I understand the concerns within the pig and poultry sectors to the ending of these transitional provisions and in particular the requirement of more lands for the recycling of these manures. My Department has been in discussion with the IFA and has been following up on this matter, and has also been liaising with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government which is the lead Department with respect to these regulations.

In order to assist the sector the following immediate action has been taken.

- Pig slurry imported during the closed period of 2017 will count towards 2018, 170kg and nutrient limits. This will provide a valve to allow slurry to be carried over to the following year from 2017.

- In addition my Department has contacted Teagasc who will continue to promote the use of these manures as valuable fertilisers.

GLAS pays farmers to apply slurry using low emission technologies. The use of pig slurry to avail of this measure has been encouraged and my Dept. will continue to encourage its use.

To conclude, the transitional provisions ended on 31 December 2016. However, through the implementation of the activities and measures as detailed above it is expected that the impact will be minimised. I can assure you that my Department will continue to work to facilitate proposals brought forward by the sector to assist them in ensuring these valuable fertilisers are efficiently used on Irish farms.

A full review of the regulations will commence shortly, including these specific provisions, led by the Department of Housing, Planning and local Government and assisted by my Department.