Allister speaks on Groundwater Directive
12 December 2006
In the European Parliament during the debate on the new Groundwater Directive, Jim Allister MEP attacked the failure of the Commission to deliver its promise of better regulation, by pointing out that there were now four separate Directives, instead of one consolidated measure, dealing with water quality.
In the course of his remarks, Mr Allister said:-
"The Commission, Council and Parliament have all talked much of better regulation and removing duplication. Yet, here, we have a new Groundwater Directive - not to replace but to supplement, and yes, in places, duplicate, provisions in the existing Groundwater Directive, the Water Framework Directive and the Nitrates Directive.
The over-regulated farmer, for example, instead of having one clear cut directive to comply with has aspects of four to contend with. So far from the promised rationalisation of legislation we have proliferation.
As for the assurance that loss of income suffered by farmers as a result of a restriction on farming practices can be offset under the Rural Development Regulation, that is no comfort in a country where a large part of the funding for rural development is coming from farmers themselves, through top-slicing their Single Farm Payments."
