There has been a broad welcome from the farming organisations to increased grant levels for farmers in the Border counties to help them comply with the strict conditions of the Nitrates Action Programme submitted to Brussels.
Last week, the Department of the Environment announced a new draft of the Nitrates Directive which means farmers in four Border counties will have to store their farm manure for up to six months, while manure spread levels will be cut across the State.
These counties - Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim and Donegal - and other specified areas have a problem with slurry running off fields and into watercourses, causing ground-water pollution.
Immediately following the Department of Environment announcement, Minister for Agriculture and Food Mary Coughlan outlined a proposed revised Farm Waste Management Scheme. Its main elements will:
The Irish Farmers' Association president, John Dillon, said the increased grant supports would help farmers meet the high costs of compliance.