Written answers

Wednesday, 12 July 2017

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Nitrates Usage

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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356. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the review being undertaken by his Department of the nitrates directive; the measures he can take to provide greater flexibility, reduced penalties and more workable regulations for persons under this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33545/17]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (DHPCLG) is the lead authority in undertaking the review, assisted by my Department. The third review of Ireland’s Nitrates Action Plan (NAP) commenced in early 2017; the NAP is designed to prevent pollution from agricultural sources to protect and improve water quality in order to meet the EU Water Framework Directive obligations.

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.

The objective is to agree with the European Commission a fourth NAP which will run from 2018 to 2021. Ireland will also be seeking the renewal of the nitrates derogation for the period 2018 to 2021. The derogation allows more intensive farmers to exceed the limit of 170 kg/ha nitrogen from livestock, and the continuance of the derogation is considered vital to achieve targets set out under Food Harvest 2020 and Food Wise 2025.

As regards nitrates penalties, my Department is regularly communicating with farmers including providing Nitrogen and Phosphorus statements and issuing text messages to those farmers who may be close to their nitrates limits in order to aid compliance with regulatory requirements. 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. My Department and the DHPCLG will continue in assessing opportunities to assist farmers in complying with the regulatory requirements; however it will be imperative that water quality is protected and that Ireland meets the Water Framework Directive obligations.

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