2019 nitrates derogation applications can now be submitted online, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed has announced.

Making the announcement today (Tuesday, January 22), the minister outlined: “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 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”, according to the Department of Agriculture.

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,” Minister Creed noted.

“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.

The minister announced that, as a result, a review of the conditions of the derogation would take place this year also.

He added: “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, will be published by June of this year in order to allow derogation farmers sufficient time to plan for the 2020 year.

Concluding, Minister Creed 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 nitrates derogation

The nitrates derogation allows farmers to exceed the limit of 170kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare set down in the Nitrates Regulations, up to a maximum of 250kg/ha, 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.