Amendments to Ireland’s fifth Nitrates Action Programme were signed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and came into effect on 28 July, 2022.
The amendment gives effect to the Commission Implementing Decision granting Ireland a derogation for some farms to stock at a higher rate subject to stricter environmental rules. In addition, it clarifies and refines requirements around shallow cultivation of land post-harvest.
Commenting on the amendment Minister O’Brien said: “Protecting and improving water quality, along with biodiversity, is a national priority in Ireland, and these amendments provide additional clarity to Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme in order to achieve this objective.”
“Following the public consultation on the draft environmental reports for the programme, the Government committed to reviewing the measure requiring shallow cultivation of arable land post-harvest to ensure there are no adverse impacts on farmland birds. This amendment delivers on that commitment. To further build on this, the Government is currently working with stakeholders to develop a research programme that will provide more information around this measure to ensure protection of wild bird populations over the coming years.”
The new measures regarding shallow cultivation are targeted to counties with a medium to high proportion of tillage land and where nitrates-focused actions are a priority to address water quality, while also leaving space to avoid any negative impacts on wild bird populations.