Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following the finalisation of the current Nitrates Action programme (NAP), and introduction of the current GAP Regulations (SI 113 of 2022, as amended), my Department informed farmers and advisors of all the relevant changes, which included restriction of chemical and/or imported organic phosphorus to soils where there is no valid soil test for phosphorus.

These forms of communication included the following:

• Published a press release in March 2022 referring to the introduction of the new GAP legislation.
• A webinar open to all Farm Advisory Service advisors on the 30th of March 2022.
• Teagasc Signpost webinar open to the public in May 2022.
• Publication of the Nitrates Explanatory Handbook 2022, and Nitrates Leaflet available to download on my department’s website www.gov.ie/nitrates.
• Nitrates Information leaflets provided at the National Ploughing Championships in 2022 and 2023.

It is not possible to provide additional flexibilities in respect of penalties but my Department have supported the taking of over 95,000 soil samples during the pilot phase of the soil sampling programme and a further 90,000 are envisaged in the current programme, phase 2.