Martin Ferris
Ceist:396 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the input Irish officials had into the research prior to the framing of the Nitrates Directive. [19368/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 29 June 2004
Ceisteanna (396)
Freagraí scríofa
Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources was unanimously adopted by the Council of Ministers on 12 December 1991. The initial proposals brought forward by the European Commission for this directive were based on research carried out by or on behalf of the Commission. Irish authorities were aware of all available research and participated fully in the development of the proposals. There was close consultation between the Department of the Environment and the Department of Agriculture and Food in the matter, supported by Teagasc.
While the directive provides for a general limit of 170 kg per hectare of organic nitrogen for the land spreading of livestock manure, it was a key objective of the Irish authorities that the directive should incorporate a mechanism whereby higher amounts could be allowed where these were justified. This objective was achieved and the mechanism is provided by the derogation procedure set out in Annex III of the directive, which provides for higher land spreading limits based on specified criteria.