Fine Gael has tabled a Dáil motion calling on the Government to publish a plan to reduce the amount of bureaucracy faced by farmers in complying with the nitrates directive.
The party is also urging the Minister for Agriculture to cease all no-notice nitrate inspections immediately given that farmers have not been given any information on the implementation of the new nitrates rules.
Fine Gael spokesman on agriculture Denis Naughten said yesterday that the party would undertake an audit of existing regulations if it got into government with a view to reducing all bureaucracy by one quarter.
"We want farmers to be able to get on with doing what they are good at and that is not being strangled by paper work."
He added: "The nitrates rules are just the latest example of untenable rules laid down by this Government which are just not practical to implement."
