Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
43. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding Ireland obtaining an extension to the derogation on the spreading of pig slurry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7017/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government is the lead authority for the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations, otherwise known as the Nitrates Regulations, with a major role being played by my Department.
Ireland successfully agreed with the European Commission in late 2017 on its fourth Nitrates Action Programme running from 2018 to 2021, this is contained in S.I. No. 605/2017.
The new Action Programme places a particular emphasis on disrupting pollution pathways in order to prevent agricultural run-off affecting the water environment. It addresses soil fertility problems and emphasises the importance of knowledge transfer.
The previous Nitrates Action Programme, effective from 2014 to 2017, contained a transitional provision whereby farmers importing pig or poultry manure or spent mushroom compost were allowed to exceed crop maximum phosphorus rates by 3 kg/ hectare in 2015 and 2016; this provision ended on 31 December 2016.
Both Departments were aware of the immediate difficulties created for pig farmers as a result of the ending of this transitional provision as regards locating adequate spreadlands for the disposal of pig manure. Ireland successfully negotiated and agreed with the Commission on an extension of these provisions under the new Action Programme. In 2018 farmers importing pig manure are allowed to exceed the crop phosphorus limit by 3kg/ha, reducing to 2 kg/ha in 2019, 1 kg/ha in 2020 and 0 kg in 2021. Furthermore the Commission also agreed to a retrospective extension of the transitional provisions for pig manure for 2017.
The extension of these transitional provisions for the coming years will facilitate pig farmers in locating adequate spreadlands. My Department and Teagasc continue to actively promote pig manure as a valuable and cost effective source of nutrients, replacing chemical fertiliser.
