Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004
144 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions his Department has had with the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with respect to the draft nitrates directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4833/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the nitrates directive is in the first instance a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A draft action programme giving effect to the directive, which was prepared by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in conjunction with my Department and in consultation with Teagasc, was presented in December last to representatives of the main farming organisations and other stakeholders. A period of two months was provided for stakeholders to submit their comments on the document in writing to either or both Departments. This period runs until tomorrow, 19 February. When the consultation process has been completed and consideration has been given to the various submissions, definitive proposals for an action programme will be submitted to the European Commission.
