Nitrates Derogation

By Catherine Keena

Closing date for Nitrates Derogation is Friday 28 September. This is not relevant to farmers in REPS or those with stocking rates below 170kg of N per hectare per year from livestock manure. Statements issued to farmers setting out quantities of organic nitrogen produced during the previous year will help you decide whether you need to apply.

Nitrates Derogation application

A Derogation allows you operate above the stocking limit of 170 kgs/ha/yr, up to a maximum of 250 kgs. If it exceeds 250kg/ha, you must consider alternative arrangements such as exporting some manure. A Derogation is only available to farms with at least 80% grass and if you have grazing livestock only (not pigs or poultry). A fertiliser plan is not required for 2007, only the completion of Record 1 in the Explanatory Handbook for Good Agricultural Practice Regulations. Fertiliser Accounts for 2007 must be submitted to the Department by 1 March 2008.

Completing the form

Information includes: livestock type, not numbers; Net Area and Net Grassland Area as on Single Payment Scheme (Area Aid) application; and storage period applicable. Storage period depends where your farm is located: Zone A: (16 weeks) Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Waterford; Zone B: (18 weeks) Clare, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath; Zone C: 20 weeks in Donegal and Leitrim; and 22 weeks in Cavan and Monaghan. If located in two counties with different storage periods, the longer period applies.