Nitrates Action Programme Review

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

Ceisteanna (401, 402)

Dan Neville

Ceist:

401. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will consider abolishing the deadline for the spreading of slurry for this year due to the abnormal level of rainfall seen in most parts of Ireland over the past few months; if he has accepted that in a year like this that calendar farming is not appropriate; if he agrees with the points that many farmers are making that it is the prevailing conditions of the ground not dates on the calendar that should determine when farmers can spread slurry. [42939/12]

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

402. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will consider a further extension beyond the end of October for the spreading of slurry. [43174/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 401 and 402 together.

In September 2012 I announced extensions to the periods for the application of chemical fertiliser and organic manures produced on farms, in direct response to the challenges farmers were facing as a result of the very difficult weather conditions this summer.   I moved quickly to give certainty to farmers in advance of the deadlines.

However, set closed periods for the spreading of fertilisers, including slurry, are a requirement of the Nitrates Directive and mandatory in every member state. The purpose of closed periods is to protect ground and surface water bodies, including drinking water sources, by prohibiting the application of fertilisers when such application poses an unacceptable risk to water courses.

The closed periods in Ireland were decided following an extensive consultation and were discussed with farming bodies and the European Commission at the time.

Good agricultural practice involves the application of fertilisers as early as practicable in the growing season in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution risks to water. The application of fertilisers in the months of November and December is not considered good farming practice and this has been the case long before the nitrates regulations came into force in Ireland.