Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss Nitrates Action Programme and the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes

The meeting at 5.30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will hear from Representatives from The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI Ireland).

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “The Nitrates Action Programme aims to reduce the environmental impact on surface and groundwater by the farming industry. The Committee discussed this matter last year and we look forward to engaging further on the programme.

“TAMS, including the Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) Equipment Scheme, can be used to update equipment to be more environmentally friendly. Contractors who service a lot of farms and agri-business are excluded from these schemes. The Committee welcomes the opportunity to meet with FCI Ireland to discuss the impact of being excluded from TAMS, the Nitrates Action Programme and related matters.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.