Michael Ring
Ceist:1490 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will renegotiate the entire procedures, basis and compensation for special areas of conservation. [16043/02]
Written Answers. - Environmental Policy.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:1506 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to renegotiate the procedure and compensation for designated special area of conservation lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16216/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1490 and 1506 together.
My predecessor in the nature conservation function, the then Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, undertook earlier this year to engage with the Irish Farmers Association in an examination of compensation and related matters for farmers and landowners in designated special areas of conservation, natural heritage areas and special protection areas. My Department has now received detailed proposals from IFA in relation to the substance of the review and had an initial meeting with them on 7 October 2002. Further meetings will be arranged to progress the review which will also involve other farm representative bodies as appropriate.
Michael Ring
Ceist:1491 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the position regarding the nitrates directive; if he has spoken to the IFA in relation to this matter; if he has had discussions with Teagasc on this matter; and when he is bringing forward new proposals to take into consideration the difficulties farmers will have in implementing this directive. [16044/02]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 318 on today's Order Paper.
The Nitrates Directive relates to the protection of waters against pollution by nitrates from agricultural sources. The directive has been substantially implemented in Ireland by way of extensive monitoring of nitrate levels in waters, the assessment of the trophic status of waters, the development and dissemination in 1996 of a code of good agricultural practice to protect waters from pollution by nitrates and a range of other measures which operate to protect water quality from pollution by agricultural sources. These other measures include the provision of funding under schemes administered by the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAF) such as the control of farmyard pollution scheme, the rural environment protection scheme, and the farm waste management scheme to support expenditure by farmers on measures for pollution control and environmental protection. They also include bye-laws made by local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts, a wide range of implementation and enforcement actions taken by local authorities under those Acts, the progressive extension of the integrated pollution control licensing system operated by the EPA to apply to a wider range of intensive agricultural activities, and the introduction of requirements for compliance with good farming practice in the context of agri-assistance schemes administered by DAF.
In February 2002, my Department issued an information paper on good agricultural practice and protection of the environment which sets out the background issues and the preferred approach of applying an action programme to all areas rather than to designated vulnerable zones. The paper was prepared in consultation with, and reflects the views of, DAF and Teagasc. A copy is available in the Oireachtas Library.
Following extensive consultation involving the main farming organisations and other interested parties, including the IFA, I am currently developing proposals for an action programme, including regulations, to strengthen the application of good agricultural practice in all areas and to give further effect to the Nitrates Directive and other directives in relation to waste and water quality. A liaison group has been established to facilitate consultation between the relevant authorities and includes officials of my Department, DAF, Teagasc, the Geological Survey of Ireland and the EPA. The detailed provisions of the action programme and the regulations will be developed in consultation with farming and other interests.