Case For Nitrates Directive Derogation Successful
Alan Galbraith, Countryside Management Branch, DARD
Under the terms of the Nitrates Directive, Member States which introduce a compliant action programme may apply for a derogation from the statutory 170 KG nitrogen per hectare per year (N/ha/year) livestock manure limit.
On Monday 15 October, the Commission and Member States accepted the Northern Ireland (NI) case to allow eligible farmers a derogation to apply up to 250 KG grazing livestock manure nitrogen per hectare per year provided certain criteria were adhered to. This derogation is particularly important for the intensive grassland farms in NI with higher than average stocking rates. The main criteria of the NI derogation are that farms must:
- have at least 80 percent grassland;
- have a farm phosphorus balance of no more than 10 KG phosphorus per hectare per year;
- carry out soil sampling to establish soil fertility status;
- only apply nitrogen and phosphorus to crop requirements;
- make an annual application by the farmer to DOE’s Environment and Heritage Service;
- produce and maintain annual fertilisation plans and accounts.
It is anticipated that Regulations to implement the Commission Decision will be brought into operation, once they have been accepted by the NI Assembly in early 2008. A comprehensive Guidance Booklet will then be available and College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) will be organising a series of information meetings to support those farmers considering applying for a derogation.