merrion street

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, T.D., today announced that 2019 Nitrates Derogation applications can now be submitted on line. ‘The Nitrates Derogation provides farmers an opportunity to farm at higher stocking rates, subject to certain conditions designed to protect the environment and meet the requirements of the Nitrates Directive’, the Minister outlined.
The derogation is an important facility for more intensive farmers. The online system is aimed at simplifying the application process and assisting farmers to avoid penalties. Farmers can also remain compliant with the Regulations by managing their livestock numbers, exporting slurry/farmyard manure or renting additional land.
“Almost 7,000 intensively stocked farmers availed of the derogation in 2018. These farmers engage in soil sampling, nutrient management planning and comply with an increased inspection regime in order to ensure they are farming to a high environmental standard”
The derogation is an important facility for more intensive farmers, particularly in the Dairy sector and it is essential that its environmental credentials are maintained. Almost 7,000 intensively stocked farmers with an agricultural area of 466,000 hectares availed of the derogation in 2018 with this being a marked increase in both the area and the number farming under derogation since 2014.
The Minister announced therefore a review of the conditions of the derogation would take place this year also.
The Minister stated; “In order to ensure the sustainable continuation of the derogation, a review will examine further opportunities for derogation farmers to improve efficiencies and continue to reduce their environmental footprint”.
It is expected the outcome of this review, including recommendations be published by June of this year in order to allow derogation farmers sufficient time to plan for the 2020 year.

Finally, the Minister said; “‘I would encourage more intensively stocked farmers to engage early with this application process and discuss the need for a derogation with their agricultural advisor”.
The closing date for applications is 31st March 2019
Farmers not already registered for agfood.ie can do so by logging onto www.agfood.ie and clicking the 'Register' button. More information is available on the Department’s website at the following link: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/ruralenvironmentsustainability/environmentalobligations/nitrates/nitratesderogation/

Notes for Editors

Nitrates Derogation

The Nitrates Derogation allows farmers to exceed the limit of 170 kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare set down in the Nitrates Regulations, up to a maximum of 250 kg per hectare, subject to adherence to stricter rules. For a Nitrates Derogation application to be valid, all terms and conditions of the Derogation must be adhered to, including the following:

• An annual application must be made online to the Department. No postal applications will be accepted.
• Farming a holding that is at least 80% grass. Have grazing livestock – a derogation is only available in respect of grazing livestock.
• 50% of all slurry produced on a derogation farm must be applied by the 15th June annually. After this date slurry can only be applied using low emission equipment.
• A derogation holding must have sufficient storage for all livestock manure and soiled water produced on the holding
• Have a Fertilisation Plan in place on the holding by 1st March. This plan should be submitted to the Department along with the application form unless the farmer has submitted a fertiliser plan to the Department in 2016, 2017 or 2018.
• Fertiliser plans must be based on soil analysis results dated after 15th September 2015.
• New applicants who do not have soil analysis results must assume Index 3 for 2019 but soil sample analysis, in respect of crop year 2020, must be available and the fertiliser plan amended accordingly and submitted online to the Department before 31st March 2020.
• Fertiliser accounts must be submitted to the Department no later than 31st March of the following year.
• Nitrates Derogation applicants cannot import livestock manure onto their holding
• Derogation information is available on the Department’s website at: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/ruralenvironmentsustainability/environmentalobligations/nitrates/nitratesderogation/