Nitrates

The Nitrates Directive.

The Nitrates Directive is implemented by means of the Nitrates Action Programme (NAP), is the key agricultural measure in Ireland’s River Basin Management Plan for preventing and reducing water pollution from nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) arising from agricultural sources.

Ireland’s fourth NAP (contained in the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations 2017), effective for 2018-2021, takes account of the agricultural pressures on water quality.

It provides new measures focusing on intercepting and breaking the pathways that transport nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment from farmland to waters. It addresses soil fertility problems to improve nutrient use efficiency and productivity for the achievement of sustainable intensification objectives under Food Wise 2025. Furthermore under the fourth NAP there is simplification of the regulations for improved understanding and implementation.

Under the Nitrates Regulations 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.

Measures under the Nitrates Regulations include:

the timing and procedures for the land application of fertilisers,
limits on the land application of fertilisers that are consistent with good agricultural practice,
storage requirements for livestock manure, and
general provisions on storage management.