Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 April 2004
34 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to encourage food processors and poultry and pig farmers to reduce the levels of pollution, as listed in the European pollution emission register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9165/04]
View answerThe Irish food processing, pig and poultry facilities in question are listed in the European pollutant emissions register, EPER, by virtue of the fact that they hold integrated pollution control, IPC, licences from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. The inclusion of these facilities in the EPER demonstrates the progress already made in Ireland with the licensing of activities with significant polluting potential.
IPC licensing is a modern and sophisticated system with an emphasis on pollution prevention techniques, including cleaner technologies and waste minimisation. EPA monitors compliance with licence conditions and, in carrying out this task or on request, may provide advice and assistance to licence holders on any aspect of their operations.
The Protection of the Environment Act 2003 provides for the revision of the IPC licensing system to bring it fully into line with the requirements of Council Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control. I will commence shortly the remaining provisions of the Act. This will, inter alia, extend licensing requirements to additional activities in the sectors referred to in the question and require EPA to review each existing licence to ensure compliance with the directive by its relevant target date in 2007.
