Derek McDowell
Question:50 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to reduce phosphates in detergents and fertilisers. [16295/97]
Written Answers. - Phosphate Levels.
A comprehensive strategy is in place to address the contribution of nutrients, particularly phosphorus, to eutrophication problems in rivers and lakes.
In the case of agriculture, nutrients such as phosphorus are essential to crop and animal production and are obtained from various sources including animal manures and chemical fertilisers. Nutrient management planning is a key management tool for farmers with the objective of achieving the correct balance between crop nutrient requirements, fertiliser application rates and the prevention of water pollution. Statutory powers are available to local authorities to require the preparation of such plans where appropriate.
My Department was instrumental in having a review undertaken of recommended phosphorus fertiliser application rates leading to the adoption by Teagasc of revised lower rates for grassland. These are now being taken into account in the preparation of nutrient management plans, including plans prepared under the rural environment protection scheme administered by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
In promoting nutrient management, emphasis is being placed on the potential significant cost savings available to many farmers, as well as the environmental benefits as a consequence of a more responsible and planned approach to the use of fertilisers. Teagasc has estimated that annual purchases of phosphorous chemical fertilisers could be reduced by £25 million without affecting production.
Farmers can also reduce phosphorus inputs to waters from the landspreading of animal manures by adhering to the precautionary measures, including recommendations about the timing and rate of spreading contained in the code of good agricultural practice to protect water from pollution jointly produced by my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food.
With regard to phosphates in detergents, changes beneficial to the environment made over recent years include the reduction of the phosphate content from 35 per cent to 20 per cent and the introduction of a new range of phosphate-free concentrated products. The installation of phosphorus reduction facilities in sewage schemes, where appropriate, as part of the Department's major programme of investment in improving treatment arrangements is making an important contribution to minimising phosphorus losses to waters, including inputs associated with the use of detergents.
I understand, however, that the extent of market penetration achieved by phosphate-free detergent products has been somewhat disappointing from the environmental perspective and consequently the potential reduction in phosphate losses from detergents has not been fully realised. My Department has been in discussions with the Irish Detergent and Allied Products Association about the matter with a view to the adoption of measures on a voluntary basis. I will consider the imposition of statutory controls to achieve further reductions in the phsophorus input to waters from detergents in the absence of an early and satisfactory outcome to these discussions.