Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2004
46 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has held recently with farm organisations regarding the nitrates directive; her views, from an agricultural perspective, on the recent report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29316/04]
View answerThe implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance. Mr. Denis Brosnan was appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to act as an independent adviser in relation to the draft national action programme to implement the directive. I understand that Mr. Brosnan met a number of stakeholders, including the farming organisations, to discuss their concerns before finalising his report. Based on Mr. Brosnan's report and recommendations, the action programme was finalised by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government together with my own Department and submitted to the European Commission in October.
In line with the Government's commitments made under Sustaining Progress, the farming organisations have been involved on a number of occasions in discussions on the implementation of the nitrates directive.
