Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 2

Written Answers. - Farmyard Pollution.

Joe Walsh

Question:

260 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the lack of progress in improving the control of farmyard pollution; and if he will restore the grant scheme for this purpose to improve the environment. [6906/97]

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

Over the last ten years my Department has assisted some 40,000 farmers under the various on-farm investment schemes towards the development of quality structures with a view to reducing the level of pollution arising from farmyard wastes. To date the gross investment has been in excess of £800 million of which some £299 million has come from the National Exchequer and EU funds.

Since 1989 all investment schemes are aimed at providing the necessary structures to ensure that the storage capacity on farms is adequate. In addition my Department in conjunction with the Department of the Environment has recently agreed the nitrates code of practice. Furthermore, we now have over 23,000 farmers participating in the REP scheme. This represents a further contribution of £100 million per annum which will assist participant farmers to put the necessary investments in place to minimise the risk of pollution.

In addition provision was made in the budget for improved capital allowances, as provided for in Partnership 2000, for a targeted and monitored measure to support investment by farmers in necessary pollution control measures. As agreed in Partnership 2000, it is the Government's intention to reintroduce the scheme on a priority basis if additional funds become available at the mid-term review of structural funds.