Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2004
59 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which he expects the nitrates directive to affect output and employment here; if a similar impact is expected in competing economies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9245/04]
View answerThe implementation of the nitrates directive is in the first instance a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Compliance with the nitrates directive is a legal requirement on all member states of the EU. A draft action programme prepared by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in conjunction with my Department and in consultation with Teagasc was presented in December last to representatives of the main farming organisations and other stakeholders. Written submissions on the draft action programme have been received from some 70 stakeholders. The issues raised in the submissions are being considered by officials from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and my own Department with regard to the need to finalise the terms of the action programme at an early date and submit definitive proposals to the EU Commission.
It is not envisaged that the draft action programme under the nitrates directive would have any significant impact on national output and employment, given that the national stocking rate is significantly below two dairy cows per hectare, which is equivalent to 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare specified in the nitrates directive. The current national stocking rate suggests that adequate land is available to sustain current output levels. However, some farmers may be required to adjust stocking levels or obtain additional spread lands to comply with the nitrates action programme. That will not necessarily result in reduced national output or employment.
The impact of action programmes introduced by other member states is dependent on the level of pollution, which they are required to address, and the type of action programme which they will be required to implement. In that regard, it is anticipated that the further implementation of the nitrates directive in some of the other member states will have greater impact on output compared with Ireland.
