Vol. 539 No. 1
22 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the adverse effects and pollution impact of excessive use of fertilisers on crops and soil; the long-term side effects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18357/01]
The excessive application of fertilisers to crops can increase their susceptibility to disease, lodging, and in certain crops inferior quality. Excessive fertiliser application can lead to increased losses of nutrients from soils, through leaching into ground water, particularly in peat and sandy soils, and as run-off in surface water. High levels of phosphorus in soils can result in gradual losses of this nutrient to waters over time even where application of the nutrient has ceased.
The leaching of nitrates to ground waters can result in unacceptable levels in drinking water. The losses of nitrates and phosphates to rivers, lakes and estuarine waters can cause pollution which may result in eutrophication and on occasions the formation of algal bloom in lakes. A key priority which has driven the work of my Department has been the continued promotion of the REP scheme which stipulates the efficient use of fertilisers in an environmentally friendly manner. Furthermore, farmer participation in REPS is expected to increase from the current level of 45,000 to 70,000 by 2005.
