DAIL DEBATE

Private Motion Nitrates Directive

DÁIL ÉIREANN

Sitting Date:  
23rd June 2004

Sitting Time:
17.20

Mr. Kelleher: Everybody accepts that we have a legal obligation to bring forward an action plan on foot of the EU directive. I welcome the Minister's statement this evening and that of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in which they acknowledged the seriousness of this issue. Commercial farmers, in particular, have major concerns. People believe that if there is no derogation or if the directive is implemented as it stands on foot of the court judgment, there will be profound cost implications for commercial farmers.

I welcome the fact that we will use our negotiating skills to the best of our ability to seek a derogation to the maximum limit of 250 kg. We must ensure that as little pressure as possible is put on commercial farmers, who are already having difficulties in certain areas. Overall, however, we must accept a number of facts. First, we have a legal obligation in this regard. Second, we have a duty to ensure that we protect commercial farmers who are the backbone of the dairy industry and the broader agriculture industry in this country.

If we are serious about ensuring continued rural development and having a vibrant agriculture industry, the derogation will be essential. Members have been lobbied by farming representatives who have put forward their arguments. We have listened to them and the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government have acknowledged that they have legitimate concerns.

I wish the Minister well. It is an onerous task but it is incumbent on us to protect commercial farming and to ensure there is a proper derogation in place with a long lead-in time. We do not wish to put any further pressures on what is already a delicate industry. We will put forward scientific arguments. Given the expertise available in the Civil Service, Teagasc and other groups, they will be able to put forward a coherent argument that will stand up to scientific scrutiny. I wish the Ministers well and hope they will return with a positive result on a derogation.