Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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1164. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty facing farmers who are abiding by nitrates derogation rules and are awaiting grant approval for low emission slurry spreading equipment to allow them to remain within these rules; the action being taken to resolve these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22172/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Tranche 20 of TAMS II closed on 15th January 2021 and all eligible applications for LESS were approved and notified by 15th April 2021. Tranche 21 of TAMS II closed on 16th April 2021 and all applications will now be assessed as provided for under the terms and conditions of the scheme.

Statutory Instrument 40 of 2020 published in February 2020 details how the use of Low Emission Slurry Spreading equipment is a statutory requirement for nitrates derogation farmers and is to be used for any application of slurry. In accordance with the provisions of EU Regulation 1305/2013, LESS approvals cannot issue to such farms after 15th April 2021 as, under the terms of this regulation, mandatory requirements cannot be subject to grant aid.