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GET YOUR NITRATES RECORDS READY

Mark Kingston Countryside Management Delivery Branch

With summer approaching, so too are Cross-Compliance inspections in connection with the Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) Regulations. These inspections are carried out by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
The NAP Regulations require you to keep records.  On the day of inspection you will need to have the following details available for NIEA:
  • The agricultural area including the size, location and crop present for each field. This information is on your Single Application Form or you could use your DARD map. If you are not the owner you will be required to provide evidence that you control the land.
  • The numbers of livestock on the farm and the breakdown of species, type and length of time kept on farm. These records can be sourced from the Herd Register or by APHIS online.
  • The amount, type and dates of any imported/exported organic manure. In addition you will need to have names and addresses of the person providing/receiving this manure and the transporter if he/she is a third party.
  • Fertiliser details. This is the tonnage and the N & P content of all fertiliser stocks held at the start and end of the year. You need to provide dated invoices or receipts showing certified N and P content of chemical fertiliser and amounts purchased. Records of the tonnage and N and P content of fertiliser imported in and exported off the farm are also required.
  • Livestock manure capacity. This is the first year that you have been required to record this. You will be asked for a record of your capacity for January to December 2009.You will need to know the storage capacity of your tanks. In addition you will need to know how many stock and length of time they were housed during the winter. You should be able to provide the numbers, type, location and length of time that livestock were out wintered, if this happened.
  • Soil nitrogen supply index for cropping areas other than grassland.
  • Size & location of each field to which chemical P fertiliser has been applied and the type of crop grown.
  • Results of P soil test. If soil sampling was done the results of the soil analysis along with a farm map to show fields sampled should be presented at inspection.
  • P fertiliser details. Type, quantity and date of all fertilisers containing P applied to the field to which a chemical P fertiliser was applied.
  • Statement of foreseeable P requirements of the crop.
Please note that NIEA will require Nitrates records to be available on farm for 2007 to 2009 inclusive.
For further information please consult your Nitrates Guidance Booklet, or contact your local DARD office.