Dan Boyle
Question:51 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the role of his Department in having the Nitrates Directive 1991 implemented. [25951/02]
Written Answers. - EU Directives.
My Department has participated actively in a liaison group to consider implementation of the Nitrates Directive which was convened by the Department of the Environment and Local Government and also includes Teagasc, the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Successful implementation of the directive is important for the many farmers who are beneficiaries of the measures in the CAP rural development plan, under which funding was secured for compensatory allowances, REPS, early retirement scheme and forestry for the period 2000-06. The plan includes commitments in respect of the implementation of the Nitrates Directive, and to ensure continued EU funding of these measures it is necessary for Ireland to deliver on those commitments.