Bernard Allen
Question:162 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures in place to control the land-spreading of slurry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17519/02]
Written Answers. - Environmental Policy.
Bernard Allen
Question:214 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if new regulations will be put in place to regulate the use of fertiliser and slurry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17589/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 214 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 1491 of 9 October 2002.
Primary responsibility for protecting water against pollution arising from the land-spreading of agricultural waste rests with the person carrying on the land-spreading activity. It is an offence under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts for a person to cause or permit polluting matter to enter waters, directly or indirectly. It is an offence under the Waste Management Acts for a person to hold, recover or dispose of waste in a manner which causes or is likely to cause environmental pollution. A code of good agricultural practice, issued in 1996 jointly by my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food, provides clear guidance to farmers in relation to the storage and spreading of slurry and related activities.
Primary responsibility among public authorities for the protection and improvement of water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation. Powers are available to local authorities under the Acts to serve advice, prevention or warning notices. Some local authorities have made by-laws to protect water quality against pollution caused by agricultural activities.
The EPA has relevant powers and duties in the context of its licensing and other functions under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992. The EPA's IPC licensing system has been progressively extended in recent years to apply to intensive pig-rearing and poultry-rearing installations.
The Department of Agriculture and Food promotes good agricultural practice in the context of the REPS and the administration of agri-assistance schemes generally.
In the context of ongoing implementation of EU and national waste legislation, there is a need for additional, enforceable statutory controls in relation to the recovery of animal manure and related agricultural activities. The recovery of such organic wastes is generally exempted from the licensing requirements of the Waste Management Act, 1996, and is not yet the subject of general statutory provisions which directly address these activities. Draft regulations in preparation in my Department at present will address issues such as the land-spreading of slurry, the storage of organic waste, the use of fertilisers and related agricultural activities.