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The fourth review of Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) has opened for public consultation, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien and Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue have today announced.
The NAP gives effect to the requirements of the Nitrates Directive in Ireland.
Minister McConalogue said: “This review is a key step in the preparation of regulations that will underpin Ireland’s fifth NAP which will remain in place until 2025.”
The regulations expire at the end of 2021 and a new NAP must be published at the beginning of 2022.
Maintaining quality
European Union regulations (commonly referred to as the nitrates regulations), contain specific measures to protect surface waters and groundwater from nutrient pollution arising from agricultural sources.
Minister O’Brien said: “Protecting and maintaining water quality is a national priority and Ireland’s NAP plays an important role in helping us to achieve this objective.
“This review of the programme also gives us an opportunity to ensure it is realising this objective in parallel with biodiversity and climate action objectives as effectively as possible.”
The closing date for receipt of responses is 15 January 2021. The consultation paper can be downloaded here.
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