Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2004
388 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he intends to take in regard to the IFA’s concerns regarding the Government draft action programme under the nitrates directive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15305/04]
View answerA draft action programme for further implementation of the nitrates directive was issued for public consultation in December 2003 jointly by my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food. Some 70 submissions were received from interested parties, including all the main farming organisations, and a revised draft is being prepared by officials of both Departments. Regard is given to the submissions received from the farming bodies and others during the consultation process. Meetings have taken place between the main farming organisations and officials of the Departments involved. An opportunity will be afforded to the farming bodies to comment on the revised action programme before it is formally submitted to the European Commission.
The main concern expressed by the Irish Farmers' Association relates to the limit which will apply to the land spreading of organic manures. The directive requires a general land spreading limit of 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare per annum and the action programme now being prepared must reflect this requirement. It is intended, in addition, that an application will be made to the European Commission for approval to apply higher limits, up to 250 kg per hectare in appropriate circumstances, in accordance with the commitment given in Sustaining Progress. The Government's objective is to secure the optimal and least cost arrangements for compliance with the directive, thus protecting the interests both of the environment and of those Irish farmers whose activities would be affected.
