Some 4,105 farmers have applied for a nitrates derogation so far, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed.

The closing date for derogation applications is next Thursday 13 April and the level of applications to date is some way short of the 2016 final numbers.

Almost 7,000 intensively stocked farmers availed of the derogation last year.

However, the last week before the deadline is expected to see a flurry of applications by farmers.

The nitrates derogation allows farmers to exceed the limit of 170kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare set down in the nitrates regulations, up to a maximum of 250kg/ha, subject to adherence to stricter rules.

Applications can be made online this year, simplifying the application process and assisting farmers to avoid penalties.

For this year’s derogation applications, the requirement is that nutrient management plans are produced using NMP online and that these plans are submitted to the Department through AgFood.ie.