The controversial stubble cultivation rules introduced in the fifth nitrates action programme could be scrapped under the proposed sixth Nitrates Action Plan (NAP).

Farmers were extremely frustrated with rules introduced to shallow cultivate stubbles within 10 days of chopping or baling or within 14 days of harvest. The rule created huge pressure in the busy harvest season. Cultivation was required when ground was extremely dry or extremely wet.

Key among the problems with the rule was the unknown impact on endangered birds that depend on tillage stubbles for their over-winter habitat. Concerns for these birds led to an alteration of the rules where 20-25% of stubbles were to be left uncultivated over winter. The rules created confusion among farmers.

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Proposals on the sixth Nitrates Action Plan were to increase these rules, but this week’s draft action plan proposes to scrap the rules until research is carried out on the impact on bird numbers.

One exception

The document states that the sixth nitrates action programme will expand on all the measures in the fifth Nitrates Action Plan “with one exception”.

“Shallow cultivation on arable land was introduced under a measure in the Fifth NAP to promote the growth of ‘Green Cover on Tillage Ground’ in selected counties where significant nitrogen load reductions were required.

“However, recent research has highlighted the importance of tillage land to winter farmland birds of conservation concern, in particular Skylark, Linnet and Yellowhammer.

“It is therefore proposed to remove the existing requirement for shallow cultivation in the draft Sixth NAP, with a commitment to continue the Teagasc research project on the ‘Assessment of Green Cover Requirements: Implications for Farmland Birds’.

This project aims to determine the effects shallow cultivation can have on farmland birds, their food availability and the supporting biodiversity.

The results of this research will help to inform the design of future NAP measures.