Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) pig chair Michael Caffrey has urged the Department of Agriculture to alter the way in which organic nutrient import capacity is calculated in order to provide farmers and advisers with more clarity and to also promote the use of organic manures.

Caffrey has suggested that the calculation on how much nutrients a farmer can import should be based on last year’s stocking rate and not the current year’s figures.

“Under the current system, the amount of organic nutrients a farmer can import can change during the year depending on stock movements. This creates a moving target for farmers and advisers and makes planning very difficult,” he said.

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“Using the previous year’s figures would provide a clear baseline and allow farmers to plan with confidence,” he said.

IFA environmental chair John Murphy highlighted that it is vital to make the most of organic manures, especially with rising fertiliser prices and potential supply constraints.

Pressure

“With fertiliser prices increasing again and international supply chains under pressure, it makes sense to maximise the nutrients already being produced.

"Organic manures help to reduce reliance on imported fertiliser and improves nutrient efficiency at farm level, both of which contribute to meeting our climate targets and improving water quality,” he said.

Caffrey noted that the previous year’s stocking rate is already used as a reference in the new nitrates action programme and had been provided for in legislation prior to changes made in 2022.

He additionally raised the significance of the proposal for pig farmers, who rely on grassland farms to use the nutrients produced on pig farms.

“The Department needs to act immediately and reinstate the pre-2022 system so farmers can plan properly and make full use of organic manures at a time when fertiliser prices and supply remain uncertain,” he said.