Dan Boyle
Ceist:51 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will report on the implementation to date of the 1996 Code of Good Agricultural Practice. [19164/03]
Written Answers. - Water Pollution.
The 1996 Code of Good Agricultural Practice to protect waters from pollution by nitrates was developed jointly by my Department and the then Department of the Environment in consultation with the main farming organisations. This voluntary code contains advice and recommendations on farm practices in relation to the storage and application of organic and chemical fertilisers and precautions to be taken to avoid causing water pollution. It was designed to promote sustainable farm practices while maintaining high water quality standards. The code was made freely available and was extensively promoted by both Departments, and by Teagasc, the local authorities, the farming organisations and farm advisers.
The impact of the code was to be assessed by way of monitoring systems operated by local authorities, whose operations are a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 42.