Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 February 2014
119. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to the new nitrates action programme, his views on whether it was a missed opportunity not to change the outdated work practice of calendar farming (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6051/14]
View answerThe Nitrates Directive and Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme are given legal effect by the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014. The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers.
In accordance with the requirements of the Nitrates Directive, the Regulations include provisions regarding periods when the land application of certain types of fertilisers is prohibited. In addition, the Regulations prohibit such application at any time of the year when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or when heavy rain is forecast. The closed periods in Ireland were decided following extensive consultation and were discussed with farming bodies and the European Commission when Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme was being introduced. They extend from 15 October to 12, 15 or 31 January depending on location in the country.
These provisions are underpinned by scientific advice and good agricultural practice. The most recent scientific research carried out on a diverse range of farm and soil types as part of Teagasc’s on-going Agricultural Catchments Programme has provided further evidence in support of the efficacy of the land spreading closed season in reducing nutrient losses to waters.
Good agricultural practice involves the application of fertilisers at a time when grass and other plants are growing actively in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution to water. In this regard, the application of fertilisers at times of limited growth is not considered good farming practice. This has been the case long before the Regulations came into force in Ireland and is supported by the most up-to-date scientific evidence.
