A farm should not be defined as "intensive" unless it meets the definition of needing to apply for a derogation according to Teagasc.
In response to a question posed by the Department of Agriculture as part of its mid-term review of Ireland’s nitrates derogation, Teagasc said only those who apply for a derogation should be subject to its conditions.
In its submission to the review, Teagasc said an intensive farm was a grassland farm with an organic nitrogen stocking rate of between 170kg-250kg N/ha. In the Department’s consultation document, farmers stocked above 131kg N/ha (1.5 cows/ha) were classed as intensive.
Under existing regulations farmers who wish to stock farms above the national limit of 170kg N/ha must apply for a derogation to do so, up to a limit of 250kg N/ha.
Definition
The Eurostat definition of intensive farming states: “Intensive farming puts a pressure on the environment, due to the high use of inputs.
“However, the actual effect of the use of inputs on the environment is not only depending on the amount of inputs used but also on how and when they are applied.”
It also says these farms require significant use of capital and inputs relative to land.
Teagasc said only those farms receiving a nitrates derogation to farm more intensively fitted this definition.
Environmental impact
To help derogation farmers minimise their impact on the environment Teagasc suggested:
Increasing use of fertiliser recommendations from nutrient management plans.Adhering to set-back distances for nutrient applications in water courses.Greater use of protected urea and low-emission slurry spreading equipment.Managing hedgerows to maximise their shelter and biodiversity.Soil impact
To minimise the agricultural impact on soil on derogation farms Teagasc recommended:
Promoting of on-off grazing to avoid poaching of soils.Limiting cattle access to water courses and correct placement of water troughs.Optimising roadway design to prevent nutrient loss to surface water.Improving drainage on heavy mineral soils.Manure impact
To minimise the impact of livestock manure on the environment Teagasc proposed:
Ensuring slurry storage capacity match planned stocking numbers.Maintaining farmyards and slurry storage facilities to minimise nutrient losses.Better manure application and timing to improve its efficiency. Read more
Intensive farm definition ‘unacceptable’
Loss of nitrates derogation would undermine progress
A farm should not be defined as "intensive" unless it meets the definition of needing to apply for a derogation according to Teagasc.
In response to a question posed by the Department of Agriculture as part of its mid-term review of Ireland’s nitrates derogation, Teagasc said only those who apply for a derogation should be subject to its conditions.
In its submission to the review, Teagasc said an intensive farm was a grassland farm with an organic nitrogen stocking rate of between 170kg-250kg N/ha. In the Department’s consultation document, farmers stocked above 131kg N/ha (1.5 cows/ha) were classed as intensive.
Under existing regulations farmers who wish to stock farms above the national limit of 170kg N/ha must apply for a derogation to do so, up to a limit of 250kg N/ha.
Definition
The Eurostat definition of intensive farming states: “Intensive farming puts a pressure on the environment, due to the high use of inputs.
“However, the actual effect of the use of inputs on the environment is not only depending on the amount of inputs used but also on how and when they are applied.”
It also says these farms require significant use of capital and inputs relative to land.
Teagasc said only those farms receiving a nitrates derogation to farm more intensively fitted this definition.
Environmental impact
To help derogation farmers minimise their impact on the environment Teagasc suggested:
Increasing use of fertiliser recommendations from nutrient management plans.Adhering to set-back distances for nutrient applications in water courses.Greater use of protected urea and low-emission slurry spreading equipment.Managing hedgerows to maximise their shelter and biodiversity.Soil impact
To minimise the agricultural impact on soil on derogation farms Teagasc recommended:
Promoting of on-off grazing to avoid poaching of soils.Limiting cattle access to water courses and correct placement of water troughs.Optimising roadway design to prevent nutrient loss to surface water.Improving drainage on heavy mineral soils.Manure impact
To minimise the impact of livestock manure on the environment Teagasc proposed:
Ensuring slurry storage capacity match planned stocking numbers.Maintaining farmyards and slurry storage facilities to minimise nutrient losses.Better manure application and timing to improve its efficiency. Read more
Intensive farm definition ‘unacceptable’
Loss of nitrates derogation would undermine progress
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