Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 6

Written Answers. - Use of Fertilizers.

Ivor Callely

Question:

174 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the likely side effects or difficulties arising from over use of nitrogen by food crop producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23500/00]

(Mr. Walsh): The marketing of fertilizers is regulated under both EU and national legislation mainly as regards the types of products which may be sold and their labelling requirements.

The Code of Good Agricultural Practice contains recommended nitrogen levels to protect waters from pollution while under the REP scheme strict limits are applied to application rates of fertilizers. An evaluation of the REP scheme in 1999 concluded that the reduced levels of nitrogen application on farms covered by the scheme has succeeded in reducing environmental problems. Any misuse of fertilizers, as with many crop inputs, may have implications for the environment and for human health.

Ivor Callely

Question:

175 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the protocols in place for food crop producers with regard to the use of nutrients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23501/00]

(Mr. Walsh): The management and use of nutrients are covered by the following protocols: recommendations on the collection, storage and use of farm waste and usage rates for nitrogen for all crops, including food crops, are contained in the Code of Good Agricultural Practice to Protect Waters from Pollution by Nitrates, which was jointly drawn up by my Department and the Department of the Environment in 1996. The recommendations in the code with regard to timing of applications of chemical fertilisers and appropriate precautions to take to prevent pollution of waters etc. are equally applicable to nutrients other than nitrogen e.g. phosphorus and potassium.

Participants in the rural environment protection scheme are required to use nutrients in accordance with a nutrient management plan. All farmers have access to the advisory services provided by Teagasc which provides advice and specific recommendations on the use of nutrients. In addition, for the purposes of the CAP Rural Development Plan 2000-2006 and the capital investment schemes detailed in the two regional operational programmes, farmer participants will be obliged to conform with the code of good farming practice.