Billy Timmins
Ceist:38 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to address the burden placed on farmers by the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8824/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 March 2007
Ceisteanna (43)
Freagraí scríofa
The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 contain a number of requirements in relation to record keeping. Much of this information, such as stock numbers and farmed area, is already maintained by farmers on their herd registers or contained in their declarations for the Single Payment Scheme.
To assist farmers in complying with their obligations on record keeping, my Department will, where possible, make use of its data holdings to send organic nitrogen and phosphorus statements to farmers in respect of each calendar year. Statements in respect of 2006 are being prepared at present, and will issue as early as possible.
My Department has already produced an Explanatory Handbook for farmers setting out in clear terms their obligations under the Regulations. The handbook contains explanations of and suggested formats for the records required, and helpsheets that farmers can use as examples. This handbook, together with a copy of the Regulations, was sent to all farmers in October 2006.
While my Department is committed to minimising the practical burden of compliance with the Regulations, responsibility for compliance rests ultimately with the occupier of a holding. Farmers should therefore ensure that they have read and understood their obligations under the Regulations and they should, if necessary, obtain professional advice from their agricultural advisers. My Department is currently arranging specific cross-compliance-related training for Teagasc and private planners, in accordance with the provision, in the Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme, that member States shall set up a system of advising farmers on land and farm management to be known as the farm advisory system. This system will cover the Statutory Management Requirements, including the Nitrates Directive, together with Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition associated with cross-compliance.