§ Mr. RuaneTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he plans to take to reduce the elevated nitrate levels in streams and lakes. [59611]
§ Mr. MealeI have been asked to reply.
Measures to combat elevated nitrate levels in streams and lakes are included in the requirements of the EC Urban Waste Treatment Directive (in relation to point sources of pollution such as sewage treatment works) and the EC Nitrate Directive, which aims to combat pollution of waters by agricultural sources of nitrate.
In both cases action is required where monitoring indicates that nitrate exceeds a level of 50mg/litre in surface or ground waters. Where levels of nitrate exceed this threshold, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones are designated under the terms of the Nitrate Directive. In Nitrate Vulnerable Zones farmers are required to take measures under action programmes, which are based on good agricultural practice for the use of fertilisers and manure.
Under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, waters where nitrate levels exceed 50mg/litre are designated as Sensitive Areas (Nitrate). Within these areas qualifying sewage treatment works are required to remove nitrogen from sewage effluent before it is discharged to the receiving waters.