Nitrogen recommendations under scrutiny

THE nitrogen limits prescribed by the government today are less onerous than the "Code of Good Agricultural Practice to Protect Waters from Pollution by Nitrates" introduced in 1996, said Environment Minister Dick Roche this week.

Officials in his Department and in the Department of Agriculture are examining new Teagasc advice on how to adjust Ireland's Nitrates Directive action plan to make it more flexible for farmers, without additional risk to the environment.

Officials will check the changes recommended last week by Teagasc, to ensure they can be incorporated into an action plan which respects Nitrates Directive environmental requirements at least cost to Irish farmers, and does not undermine Ireland's case for a derogation on the nitrogen limit.