An EU-funded project to train farmers in the use and management of nitrates in agriculture was launch in 2011 and will be completed by next month. During this time more than 900 farmers will have been trained.

Answering two PQs by Opposition MP Ċensu Galea, Environment Minister Leo Brincat said individual training sessions had also been held with 519 farmers on their own premises.

Some 2,900 samples of soil had been analysed to come up with fertiliser plans for full-time and part-time farmers tending more than 13 tumoli.

Minister Brincat said farmers could benefit from an 80 per cent subsidy from EU funds in drawing up their fertiliser plans if they approached a specific office at the government experimental farm at Għammieri, which was there to advise on agricultural matters.

Mr Brincat said a National Nitrates Database was used to help the Agriculture Department to control and monitor abuses in the use of nitrates, as per an EU directive.

The database also helped the department to decide where best to carry out control inspections besides those made after complaints.