Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
420. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how it is intended to regulate the movement of organic manures from grazing platforms on dairy farms to newly rented land or tillage land. [44765/23]
View answerThe European Union Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters (GAP) Regulations (S.I. 113 of 2022, as amended) do not currently have a provision which specifically requires regulation of the movement of organic manures from grazing platforms on dairy farms to newly rented land or tillage land.
However, the export of livestock manures from holdings in the State is regulated by the GAP Regulations and facilitated and managed by my Department’s online manure exports system. Farmers that export livestock manure must submit online records to my Department. These records are then verified online by the importer.
An interim review of the 5th Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) is currently being undertaken, led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. They are the lead Government Department responsible for the NAP and the associated GAP Regulations. My Department works closely with them in this regard, including by providing responsibility for implementation and operation of Ireland's Nitrates Derogation.
A number of measures to further protect water quality are being considered as part of the current Interim Review of the NAP. These suggested measures, and their practical implementation, will be discussed shortly by the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group before being brought to full public consultation. When the Interim Review concludes the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will bring forward any necessary regulatory changes.
