Vol. 545 No. 3
7 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has had discussions with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government on the effects of environmental directives, regulations and local authority by-laws on farm management practices and the level of farm costs since the middle of 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30169/01]
There is a substantial body of environmental legislation deriving from the European Union which must be given effect by member states. The consequent legislation at national and local authority level can have implications for farm management practices. While the implementation of such EU environmental legislation is a matter for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government in the first instance, my officials are engaged in ongoing discussions with officials from the Department of the Environment and Local Government on a number of issues arising out of the necessity to give effect to such legislation at national and local level.
Currently my Department is represented on an expert panel which is considering the implementation of EU Council Directive 91/676, usually known as the nitrates directive. Discussions have also taken place on aspects of local authority by-laws, the water framework directive and the Waste Management Act, 1996, as they relate to farming. These discussions are ongoing.
