IFA

IFA and ICMSA to Have Their Say on Review of Nitrates Directive at Oireachtas Environment Committee




July 27th 2010



The views of the two largest farmers’ organisations on what form the proposed changes to the Nitrates review should take will be made clear at tomorrow’s, (28th) meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Heritage and Local Government.



Representatives from the IFA and the ICMSA will attend the meeting which takes place at 2pm in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House. Officials from Teagasc and the Department of Environment will also appear at the meeting.



The Nitrates Directive requires that farmers avoid practices which create a risk of pollution to lakes and rivers from agricultural sources such as fertilisers and manure. It also places restrictions on the times of year when farmers can plough land. Farmers’ organisations have criticised these stipulations claiming they reduce yield and increase cost.



Committee Chairman, S an Fleming TD said;

“The Nitrates Directive has had major implications for the way farmers have to go about their business. It dictates when land can and cannot be cultivated, the application of fertilisers and minimum distances from water sources.



Some farmers have complained that the regulations are too restrictive and mean they are not allowed to farm based on the best ground conditions.



Since the Nitrates Directive was introduced several years ago, there has been a significant improvement in water quality brought about by considerable investment by farmers and State bodies. I fully support the farmers in their objective to move away from calendar farming.



At tomorrow’s meeting, we will hear their opinions on how this crucial regulation should be changed.”



The Committee can be followed live at http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o