John Gormley
Question:75 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the further plans, if any, he has to introduce green tax on phosphates in fertilisers and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27374/99]
Written Answers. - Green Tax.
While the option of green taxation as a means of addressing phosphorus use in agriculture has been kept under review in the light of management measures currently under way, the introduction of a tax in this regard would be a matter for the Minister for Finance. Measures taken in recent years have resulted in a 20% reduction in the use of phosphorus chemical fertiliser in the three year period 1996-99. This reduction is due in large part to the promotion of nutrient management planning as a key management tool by farmers. The aim of nutrient management planning is to prevent water pollution by achieving the correct balance between crop requirements and nutrient application rates from organic wastes and chemical fertilisers, taking account of nutrients available in the soil. Nutrient management planning is a central feature of the rural environment protection scheme, it is also a condition of the control of farmyard pollution scheme, and is being promoted extensively in the context of ongoing water quality catchment throughout the country. These measures will continue to be enhanced and developed with a view to optimising the sustainable use of organic and chemical fertilisers.
John Gormley
Question:76 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many environmental non-governmental organisations have called for further banning of washing powder containing phosphates; the intentions, if any, he has in this regard and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27375/99]
My colleague Deputy Dempsey, Minister for the Environment and Local Government, signed a voluntary agreement with the Irish Detergents and Allied Products Association – IDAPA – on 14 December 1999 which provides for an effective phasing-out of the marketing of phosphate-based domestic laundry detergent products in Ireland.
IDAPA represents over 90% of the domestic laundry detergent market in Ireland and will eliminate phosphate-based laundry products by end 2002.
The agreement provides for an incremental approach as follows: by 30 June 2000: 55% of IDAPA market share to be ‘zero-phosphate' products, by 31 December 2001: 90% of IDAPA market share to be ‘zero-phosphate' products, by 31 December 2002: 95% of IDAPA market share to be ‘zero-phosphate' products.
In the light of the substantial commitment now made by IDAPA, I will vigorously pursue the delivery of similar commitments from the remaining 8-10% of the market which is held by the own-brand sector.