Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1218. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the three band system for dairy cows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52783/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's Nitrates regulations are reviewed on a four-yearly basis as required by the Nitrates Directive. These reviews are led by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage as the competent authority for water legislation and involve negotiations with DG Environment.

During negotiations about Ireland's new nitrates action programme DG Environment raised the question of the appropriateness of Ireland's system which uses a single figure for dairy cows, irrespective of milk output, while other Member States have a banding system based on milk yield.

Teagasc were asked to examine this issue and published a report detailing the rationale behind the figures proposed as part of the Nitrates review (www.teagasc.ie/publications/2021/the-impact-of-nitrogen-management-strategies-within-grass-based-dairy-systems.php )

The basis of the proposal is therefore the application of best available science as it relates to Ireland's dairy production profile in line with addressing the EU request.