Stricter nutrient management measures on the cards

As part of the proposals, the use of unprotected urea in granular form will be restricted from September 15, 2025.

Clover must also now be included at a rate of at least 1.5kg/ha of naked clover seed or 2.5kg/ha of pelleted clover in all perennial ryegrass reseeds, regardless of whether the farm is in derogation.

The Fifth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) delivered a 10% reduction in the maximum chemical nitrogen application rates allowable for grassland.

It stated that if water quality improvements were not evident during the interim review, that the rate should be reduced by a further 5%.

However, rather than applying the further 5% reduction to all farms, the proposals will see this targeted at only the most intensive enterprises.

It means a further 5% reduction in the maximum allowable chemical N fertiliser application rates on grassland will apply to those with a stocking rate above 170kg N/ha from January 1, 2025.

Additionally, on lower stocking intensity farms, from January 1, 2025, there will be a chemical nitrogen fertiliser limit of 90Kg N/ha on farms with a stocking rate of less than 85kg N/ha.

However, the report warns that if improvements are not made by the next review period, further reductions will be considered as a measure for the sixth NAP, which will take effect in 2026.

The current reduction to 220kg of N/ha, is based on the so-called Red Map, the Water Quality Implementation Map, as specified by the European Commission. However, the NAP review report explained this does not include all the areas where the scientific evidence shows that nitrogen reduction measures are needed.

Therefore, it is proposed that the organic manure limit on derogation farms of 220kg N/ha is also applied to the nitrogen reduction measure areas highlighted on the EPA Targeting Agricultural Measures that are currently not included in the Water Quality Implementation Map with effect from December 1, 2025.

Good news, however, includes a 70% capital investment grant for nutrient import systems and up to €90,000 towards organic nutrient storage tanks.

Changes have also been made to the nutrient excretion band rates for young stock to account for the lower excretion rates of younger animals.

Animals under three months will be given a lower band (1 kg of N and 0.1 kg P over that three-month period) compared to the bovine aged 4-12 months that excretes 20kg of N and 2.8kg of P over the remainder of that one-year period.

Figures will also now reflect the sex of the animal. The current value of 57k N/year will be changed to 55kg N/year for female cattle, and 61kg N/year for male cattle.

On the feed side, the maximum allowable crude protein content of feed will be reduced to 14% from January 1, 2025. Merchants will be asked to record import and sales data with the view to monitoring nutrient surpluses.

However, dairy farmers who go even lower than the legal limit will now receive recognition in the form of lower excretion rates for their stock.

Commenting on the public consultation, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said: “It is clear that some additional measures are needed to improve and protect water quality.

However, we need to ensure that the additional measures are the right ones to deliver these necessary improvements. The public consultation process is an important step in ensuring those most affected are listened to and that the most appropriate measures are proposed. Therefore we invite and welcome all submissions.”

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue added: “All farmers and agri sector stakeholders have a role to play in delivering on Ireland’s water quality goals. It is such collaboration, as is being channelled through the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group (WQG) I established in May 2023, that will see the dial turn for our water quality.

“These additional measures, in combination with the existing measures already being undertaken and embraced by farmers, are part of a whole of industry effort to deliver the required water quality improvements to secure a Nitrates Derogation into the future.”