ICMSA Issue ‘Reminder’ For 31 December Nitrates Reporting Deadline

Cross-Compliance fines related to farmers exceeding the 170kgs of N/hectare nitrates limit or the 250kgs of N/hectare limit in the case of derogation farms are quite common and to reduce farmers’ exposure to such penalties in 2019, it is essential that farmers inform the Department by 31 December 2017 of the measures taken by them to bring them under the limits according to Denis Drennan, Chairperson of ICMSA’s Farm & Rural Affairs Committee.

“ICMSA believes that the current penalty regime is cumbersome, unfair on farmers and should have been reformed as part of the Nitrates Review. Unfortunately, this did not happen, and farmers should now check their N status to make sure that they are meeting the regulations and thus avoiding a financial penalty.  If farmers have breached these limits, they must now inform the Department before the December 31 on the measures they took during the year to bring them under the limit.   These measures include renting additional land that is not included in their BPS application, reducing livestock numbers or exporting enough slurry or farmyard manure. Affected farmers need to complete the relevant paperwork – the relevant R3, R4 or R5 forms are available on Department website – and send it to the Nitrates Department, Johnstown Castle, Wexford before the 31 December deadline to avoid penalties. With more cows on farms, farmers that were compliant with this regulation in previous years may no longer be so. We’d really urge farmers not to be complacent on this matter and check their statements now while they still have time to rectify matters”, concluded Mr. Drennan.

Ends    16 December 2019

Denis Drennan, 086-8389401

Chairperson, ICMSA Farm & Rural Affairs Committee

Or

Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758

ICMSA Press Office