Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2006
366 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the inspection regime which will apply to the enforcement of the nitrates directive; the level of on-farm inspection anticipated by her officials; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7853/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe nitrates regulations, SI No. 788 of 2005, signed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, specifies that the relevant local authorities shall be the control authorities for the purposes of the regulations and that they shall carry out or cause to be carried out such inspections of farm holdings as are necessary for the purposes of the regulations and shall aim to co-ordinate their inspection activities with inspections carried out by other public authorities.
In practice, most farm inspections will be carried out by my Department as part of the cross-compliance requirements under the single farm payment. My Department is developing an inspection system for nitrates which will be finalised soon.
