Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

211. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the nitrates review campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31856/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) is designed to prevent pollution from agricultural sources and to protect and improve water quality.

EU Member States are required to review their NAP at least every four years. In 2017, the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (DHPCLG) which is the lead authority, assisted by the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM)  embarked on the third review of Ireland’s NAP  with the European Commission, with a view to having  the fourth  NAP in place by 2018, to  run from 2018 to 2021. The further objective is that, subject to approval of the fourth NAP, the agreement with the Commission of the renewal of Ireland’s nitrates derogation for the period 2018 to 2021.  The continuance of the derogation, which allows more intensive farmers to exceed the 170 kg/ ha nitrogen from livestock limit, is considered vital to achieve targets set out under Food Harvest 2020 and Food Wise 2025.

As part of the NAP review a public consultation has taken place; 28 submissions were received including submissions from farmers and farming organisations. All the submissions have been reviewed and considered by the Expert Group, consisting of personnel from DHPCLG, Teagasc, EPA and my Department. These will form the basis for proposals to the Commission for a new Nitrates Action Programme; it is required that the proposals must have a scientific basis.

As regards nitrates penalties, the €100m Knowledge Transfer Scheme which has over 20,000 participating farmers includes a focus on environmental sustainability and in helping farmers pursue best practice, thereby reducing the risks of non-compliance and penalties.  In addition my Department is regularly communicating with farmers including providing Nitrogen and Phosphorus statements to aid compliance with regulatory requirements and issuing text messages to those farmers who may be close to their nitrates limits.