Vol. 492 No. 5
84 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures, if any, operated by his Department to subsidise the disposal of phosphate intensive slurries as is done in other EU member states in view of the acknowledged effect that slurry spreading, particularly pig slurry spreading from large scale intensive units, has on the phosphate levels in ground water supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14638/98]
My Department does not operate any measures to subsidise the disposal of phosphate intensive slurries. There is no problem associated with phosphorus in ground-water in Ireland. However, it is acknowledged that there is a problem with excess phosphorus in surface waters i.e. rivers and lakes.
My colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, has overall responsibility for implementation of legislation for the protection of the environment. In this area, the Waste Management Act, l996 provides that local authorities may require farmers or other landowners to provide a nutrient management plan setting appropriate application rates to prevent water pollution.
