The Department of Agriculture today announced an extension to the closing date for submission of 2016 Nitrates Derogation applications.

It says the decision to extend the closing date to Friday, April 15, 2016, was taken in light of the significant interest in new Derogation applications.

The number of farmers applying for nitrates derogations is up over 50% since 2007, according to latest figures from the Department of Agriculture.

Some 6,323 farmers applied for the derogation in 2015 which 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.

Nitrates Derogation applications can only be submitted online using the using the Department’s on-line facilities. Farmers not already registered for agfood.ie can do so by logging onto www.agfood.ie and clicking the ‘Register’ button.

The Nitrates Derogation documentation is available on the Department’s website.

The Department figures also show that 2,336 farmers breached the 170kg N/ha limit in 2014 and did not apply for a derogation. Some may have exported slurry, rented/grazed other lands not declared on SPS 2014 or were affected with TB.

Farmers using over 170kg N/ha who did not apply for a derogation have reduced significantly since 2007; however, in 2014 and 2015 these have risen due to increased stock numbers, mainly on dairy farms.

Fewer farmers are over 250kg N/ha, as farmers are reducing stocking rates or exporting slurry to comply.

There are penalties for farmers who exceed 170kg organic N/ha, but who did not apply for a derogation in that year