§ Baroness Thorntonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress is being made in England in meeting the United Kingdom's legal obligations to implement the 1991 Nitrates Directive. [HL2135]
§ Lord WhittyFollowing the decision by the European Court of Justice that the United Kingdom has failed to comply with the Nitrates Directive, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State will be issuing a consultation document to key organisations very shortly setting out proposals for implementing the Nitrates Directive in England. The consultation will get underway in earnest in the new year, when a summary version of the consultation document will be sent to all farmers in England seeking their views on the implementation options. The consultation document includes an outline of the help available from Defra for farmers to meet the cost of compliance.