A shorter period for slurry spreading, a ban on soiled water spreading during the closed period and new fertiliser limits are among a raft of tougher measures proposed in the final consultation document for Ireland’s nitrates derogation.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the 15 October deadline for slurry spreading could be brought forward to September under the draft proposals.

Nitrogen

New bands for organic nitrogen excretion rates per cow will be proposed, with lower nitrogen levels for lower-yielding cows (less than 5,500l per year) and higher organic nitrogen levels for high yielding cows (greater than 7,000l per year). Currently, all cows are treated the same at 89kg organic N/cow.

A 10% cut in the upper limit of chemical nitrogen use is also likely, while plans are in place to tighten the sale of fertiliser by introducing measures similar to the pesticide register and rules.

For tillage farmers, the rules around green cover will be strengthened, with cultivation for regeneration/cover crops generally required.

While the new measures are part of the review of Ireland’s nitrates derogation, it is understood the proposed rules will apply to all farmers.

The final nitrates consultation document will be released in the coming weeks and interested parties can make submissions before the final document is sent to Brussels for approval.