Brendan Smith
Question:97 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the schemes to control farm pollution will be re-introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21365/00]
Written Answers. - Control of Farm Pollution Scheme.
Under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, provision is made for a new scheme of farm waste management.
This on-farm investment measure will form part of the new regional operational programmes for the Border, midland and western region and the southern and eastern region. The operational programmes have been submitted to the European Commission whose formal approval is awaited. Operational programme complements, which contain the specific details of measures, must also be approved by monitoring committees presently being set up by the two regional authorities for each region. This process will take a number of weeks. My Department is taking the necessary steps to ensure that those measures falling within my Department's remit will be operational and open to farmer application as soon as possible after approval.
Pending introduction of the farm waste management scheme, the current national scheme for the control of farm pollution remains in place and applications made under this scheme continue to be accepted.