The implementation of the Nitrates Action Plan is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The regulations to give legal effect to the action plan were signed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on 18 July, 2006 and replaced regulations introduced in December, 2005.
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government engaged in an extensive consultation process with all stakeholders, including my Department, on the action programme prior to the introduction of the regulations. My Department was actively involved in framing revisions to the original regulations, which introduced greater flexibility and addressed some concerns raised by farmers. My Department is now playing a lead role in presenting Ireland's derogation request to the EU Nitrates Committee. The derogation request, which would allow certain farmers to operate, under appropriate controls and conditions, up to a level of 250kg of organic nitrogen per hectare per annum is at an advanced stage of consideration by the European Commission.
In addition, a number of commitments relating to the Nitrates Directive in the form of improvements to the Farm Waste Management Scheme and the Dairy Hygiene Scheme and substantially increased REPS payments (REPS 3) have been delivered. Furthermore a new Farm Waste Management Scheme designed specifically to assist farmers meet the requirements of the Nitrates Directive was introduced in March, 2006.
My Department is involved in delivering the necessary information to farmers on the requirements of the Nitrates Regulations. A detailed advertisement was placed in the press in February last. An information booklet on cross-compliance was issued to all farmers in August, 2006 and this provided further details in relation to the Nitrates rules.
My officials, in association with officials in the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, are now finalising a handbook which will explain to farmers in clear terms the various Nitrates requirements. The handbook, along with a copy of the regulations, will be issued to farmers shortly. Information meetings for farmers involving my Department and Teagasc are being arranged for various venues around the country to coincide with the issue of the handbook.