Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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419. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending the deadline for lime to be spread beyond 31 March 2024 to 15 July 2024 to allow farmers time to spread the lime after first cut silage if the weather has not improved sufficiently before then; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44755/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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On the 6th of October, I announced flexibility to the spreading date under the National Liming Programme.

While the deadline of 31st October 2023 remains in place for receipt of claims, applicants have until the 31st of March 2024 to spread the lime.

The extension to the spreading dates was permitted due to the challenging weather conditions in 2023.

However, as this programme is supported as a once-off measure from the National Exchequer and there is no funding available for next year, I do not envisage any further extension to the spreading date as administration checks for the programme must be completed by early 2024.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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420. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how it is intended to regulate the movement of organic manures from grazing platforms on dairy farms to newly rented land or tillage land. [44765/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The European Union Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters (GAP) Regulations (S.I. 113 of 2022, as amended) do not currently have a provision which specifically requires regulation of the movement of organic manures from grazing platforms on dairy farms to newly rented land or tillage land.

However, the export of livestock manures from holdings in the State is regulated by the GAP Regulations and facilitated and managed by my Department’s online manure exports system. Farmers that export livestock manure must submit online records to my Department. These records are then verified online by the importer.

An interim review of the 5^thNitrates Action Programme (NAP) is currently being undertaken, led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. They are the lead Government Department responsible for the NAP and the associated GAP Regulations. My Department works closely with them in this regard, including by providing responsibility for implementation and operation of Ireland's Nitrates Derogation.

A number of measures to further protect water quality are being considered as part of the current Interim Review of the NAP. These suggested measures, and their practical implementation, will be discussed shortly by the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group before being brought to full public consultation. When the Interim Review concludes the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will bring forward any necessary regulatory changes.