Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
725. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he is taking to secure the continuation of Ireland's nitrates derogation at 250 kg organic nitrogen per hectare after 2021. [32205/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017, as amended, give legal effect in Ireland to the Nitrates Directive and to Ireland's fourth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) for 2018 -2021 which was agreed with the European Commission in December 2017 after extensive negotiation.
Ireland's NAP contains enhanced measures for the protection of waters based on scientific research findings and a collaborative approach to improving our water quality. The NAP is designed to prevent pollution of surface waters and ground water from agricultural sources and to protect and improve water quality. Member States are required to review their NAP at least every four years.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, spent much of 2017 working on a review of the third NAP and on the development of the fourth programme, including negotiations with the European Commission. A similar review process will be undertaken for the current 2018 - 2021 Nitrates Action Programme, probably commencing in 2020. In the meantime, full and correct implementation of the current Action Programme is important. Implementation of the actions set out in the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018 - 2021 to target pressures on water quality from agricultural diffuse and point-source pollution will also be important to demonstrate Ireland's capacity to maintain its nitrates derogation while also improving water quality.
