Nitrates Information
Nitrates Information
Under the Nitrates Regulations (S.I. 610 of 2010) farmers must not apply more than 170kgs of nitrogen from livestock manure per hectare per year. However, grassland farmers, with grazing stock, may apply annually for a derogation to apply up to a limit of 250kg per hectare in a calendar year, under certain conditions. Farmers doing so will need to have a Fertiliser Plan on their holding by 1 March each year and will have to keep Fertiliser Accounts and submit these accounts to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by 31 March each year.
Compliance with the Nitrates Regulation (Directive) is one of the Statutory Management Requirements under the Single Payment Scheme, and anyone applying (operating) above the 170kg/hectare limit who has not applied for a derogation in the year in question is putting his or her Single Payment at risk.
