Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 6

Written Answers. - Control of Farmyard Pollution Scheme.

James Leonard

Question:

199 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the implications of the suspension of the control of farmyard pollution scheme for regions developing angling as a tourist attraction. [11420/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I am conscious of the importance of protection of watercourses from pollution for the development of water based tourism activities including angling. While primary responsibility for the protection of watercourses rests with the Department of the Environment and local authorities my Department has provided considerable assistance to farmers to tackle pollution problems on their farms. Grant aid has been provided towards the cost of investments in improved housing and waste storage facilities on farms. Over £170 million in grant aid has been paid over the past five years alone for pollution works on some 30,000 farms under the previous control of farmyard pollution scheme and farm improvement programme. In addition a significant proportion of the approximately £195 million allocated for on-farm investment in the 1994-99 period is for pollution control investments. I have already announced that I am taking steps to secure extra funding for the control of farm pollution scheme over this period.

While the provision of pollution control facilities have the potential to significantly reduce pollution from farms, these must be accompanied by effective management practices for the handling and safe disposal of farm waste.

Responsibility in this regard rests with farmers. Teagasc and the local authorities provide advice and assistance to farmers in this regard. I might add that considerable progress has been made in recent years in reducing pollution particularly point source incidents of farm pollution. This improvement is reflected in a reduction in the number of serious incidents of farm pollution of watercourses and fish kills. I am confident that the position will be further improved over the coming years.

James Leonard

Question:

200 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has to give special consideration to regions with river catchments identified as heavily polluted under the control of farmyard pollution scheme. [11421/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I am in consultation with the Department of the Environment on this matter.