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EU Directives.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004

Wednesday, 2 June 2004

Questions (41, 42)

Mary Upton

Question:

27 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in regard to the proposed nitrates directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16524/04]

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Liam Twomey

Question:

30 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the draft nitrates directive action programme; the role his Department had in drawing up the proposals; and if he can provide evidence that farming is the major pollutant of rivers and water supplies. [16429/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 30 together.

I refer to the replies to Question No. 388 of 25 May 2004 and to Question No. 371 of 1 June 2004. The Government's objective is to secure the optimal and least cost arrangements for compliance with the nitrates directive, thus protecting the interests both of the environment and of those Irish farmers whose activities would be affected.

To that end, the draft action programme, which was issued for public consultation jointly by my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food last December, is intended to meet the requirements of the directive, as clarified by recent European Court judgments, including the requirement of a general land spreading limit of 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare per annum. The submission of the action programme to the European Commission will also allow the Government to seek approval from the Commission for higher land spreading limits, up to 250 kg, in appropriate circumstances. This approach is in the best interests of Irish agriculture, as continued non-compliance with the directive would compromise EU funding for farm support measures. In finalising the action programme, regard is being had to the submissions received and further consultation with the farming bodies will take place.

Irish agriculture generates some 57 million tonnes per annum of organic waste, or 76% of all waste, and there is a strong scientific consensus that this is a major source of inland water pollution in Ireland. This is reflected in research and surveys by the EPA and other bodies, such as Teagasc, over a long period of time and by detailed research carried out in particular areas in the context of catchment-based water management projects, for example, the Derg-Ree project. The conclusion is also consistent with the findings of similar studies in other countries.

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