Nitrates Directive meeting with European Commission

Date: 30/5/2006
Source: DARD

A cross-departmental delegation has met with the European Commission to discuss key issues associated with the Nitrates Directive Action Programme.

The delegation, which consisted of representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of the Environment and from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) met with European Commission on 23 May.

The cross-departmental delegation had a positive and constructive meeting with the Commission. This was a technical meeting to discuss two of the key outstanding Action Programme issues, namely nitrogen excretion values and nitrogen efficiency. The scientific data on these issues, based on results of research studies undertaken in Northern Ireland, was presented by research staff from AFBI, led by Chief Executive Dr George McIlroy.

The departments and AFBI will reflect on the useful discussions with a view to finalising the Action Programme. Further discussions are planned with a joint industry scientific working group next week, prior to meeting with stakeholders in advance of submitting the final Action Programme to the Commission.