The Minister for the Environment, Martin Cullen, has announced that Ireland will sign up to the EU Nitrates Directive which aims to protect water from pollution by limiting the amount of nitrogen used by farmers in vulnerable zones.
Mr Cullen said the whole country would come under the Directive, limiting farmers to using 210 kg of animal manure or fertiliser per hectare per annum, under the first four years of the scheme, followed by further reductions.
However the Minister said Ireland would seek a derogation from the EU for higher amounts to be allowed in certain circumstances - a move agreed with farming groups last month under the new social partnership programme.
Ireland is the last of the 15 member EU states to sign-up to the Directive, possibly because its 7m cattle, 5m sheep, 1.7m pigs and 14m chickens produce so much organic fertiliser.
The latest figures show that farmers also spread 1.5m tonnes of non-organic fertiliser, in the form of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, in 2001.
Farmers had argued that implementing the EU levels would make Irish farms uncompetitive and that Irish water quality has been improving anyway.
It is anticipated Mr Cullen will have a very tough task in convincing the European Commission to give the derogation.
Mr Cullen said his action programme on the nitrates issue would provide for a range of measures, including regulations to strengthen the application of established 'good housekeeping' rules for farming in all areas.
