Nitrates Derogation deadline is approaching
Mark Kingston Countryside Management Delivery, DARD
Compliance with the Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) is required to satisfy Cross-Compliance. One key measure of the NAP is an upper farm limit of 170KG nitrogen per hectare per year (N/ha/year) from livestock manure. However, there is scope within the terms of the Nitrates Directive for farmers with intensive grassland farms and higher than average stocking rates to apply for a derogation to extend this limit to a maximum of 250KG N/ha/year. This will mainly be of interest to intensive dairy farmers.
It is important to note that there are conditions attached to operating your farm under the nitrates derogation. These include:
- preparing and submitting a fertilisation account to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for 2009 by 1 March 2010 if a derogation was obtained in 2009;
- preparing a 2010 fertilisation plan by 1 March 2010;
- having at least 80 percent of the agricultural area in grassland; and
- having a farm phosphorus balance of no more than 10KG phosphorus per hectare per year.
Anyone wishing to obtain derogation for 2010 must submit a completed application form to the NIEA on or before 1 March 2010. Application forms are available from NIEA at http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/
or by telephoning 02892 623189.
or by telephoning 02892 623189. Contact Countryside Management Delivery staff at your local DARD Office for more information on the Nitrates Directive Derogation.
