“All farmers have an important role to play in protecting our environment particularly those farming intensively, and it is crucial that we protect and restore our waters as soon as possible to maintain the nitrates derogation at current levels into the future.” These are the words of Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, who was speaking on the latest EU announcement that it has extended Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation until 2025.
The newly announced extension will see stricter rules being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). The Minister has also announced that an online portal has been opened for farmers who want to apply for derogation in 2022, with the closing date for applications set for the 14 April 2022. DAFM stated that the online system is aimed at simplifying the application process and helping farmers to avoid penalties.
In terms of derogation, the process allows for intensive farmers to operate at a higher stocking rate. It’s understood that farmers who are allocated a derogation can exceed the limit of 170kg of livestock manure nitrogen (N) per hectare set down in the Nitrates Regulations but there is a maximum of 250 kg N per hectare.
The derogation will run until 31 December, 2025 with an interim review of water quality to be carried out in 2023.
LSL News.