15 January 2009

By Alan Galbraith Countryside Management Branch

Compliance with the Nitrates Directive is a requirement of Cross-Compliance.  

Under the terms of this Directive, Northern Ireland (NI) was successful in its application for a derogation from the statutory 170kg nitrogen per hectare per year (N/ha/year) livestock manure limit.  Under this derogation eligible farmers can apply up to 250kg of grazing livestock manure nitrogen per hectare per year provided certain criteria are adhered to. This derogation is particularly important for intensive grassland farms in NI with higher than average stocking rates. It will be predominantly intensive dairy farms that are the most likely to require a derogation. Non-grazing livestock must have enough land to stay below 170kg N/ha/yr.

Important dates are:

By 1 March 2009 farmers, who had a derogation in 2008, must prepare and submit a fertilisation account for 2008 to Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA formerly known as EHS).

Farmers wishing to avail of a derogation in 2009 must apply to NIEA by 1 March 2009.  In addition they must prepare a Fertilisation Plan by 1 March.  This plan is held on the farm and must be available for inspection.

By 30 June at the latest, all farmers, regardless of whether they have a derogation, must prepare their Nitrates Directive Records for the year of 2008 for possible inspection by NIEA.

Assess your Nitrogen production for 2009

It is important that all grassland farms should reassess their planned nitrogen production from livestock manures on their farm in 2009. Circumstances may have changed from last year. Have livestock numbers expanded? Has land area under your control reduced?  Such changes may result in farms operating above 170kg N/ha. If the livestock manure nitrogen is over 170kg per hectare farmers should consider the number of options available to enable them to comply with the Nitrates Directive.

CAFRE Derogation meetings

CAFRE are planning to hold Nitrates Derogation meetings to support those farmers who are considering applying or reapplying for a derogation. These meetings will help you to decide if the derogation is the best route for your business to take and how to complete the application form, fertilisation account and fertilisation plan.  As well as formal presentations each meeting will be attended by the local Agriculture Development Adviser to give you the opportunity to discuss your options.  If you would like to attend one of these meetings please call Greenmount Campus at 028 9442 6879 by Friday 23 January to book your place.

Notes to Editors

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