Farm organisations are adamant that a planned review of the nitrates derogation should not see farmers unfairly targeted on water quality. The new derogation only came into effect last year, but the review has been instigated by the Department of Agriculture as a pre-emptive measure. With both Denmark and the Netherlands struggling to retain their derogations, the Department is conscious of the need to demonstrate that the derogation is helping intensively stocked farmers to achieve the highest standards of nutrient efficiency and environmental protection.
Farm organisations are adamant that a planned review of the nitrates derogation should not see farmers unfairly targeted on water quality. The new derogation only came into effect last year, but the review has been instigated by the Department of Agriculture as a pre-emptive measure.
With both Denmark and the Netherlands struggling to retain their derogations, the Department is conscious of the need to demonstrate that the derogation is helping intensively stocked farmers to achieve the highest standards of nutrient efficiency and environmental protection.
Since the ending of dairy quotas, derogation applications have risen, with 7,000 farmers on 466,000ha of land applying in 2018.
Recommendations from the review will be published in June 2019, for implementation next year.
The ICMSA’s Denis Drennan said: “Significant investments in environmental improvements have taken place on farms over the last number of years and that the review must recognise this.”
The closing date for submitting a nitrates derogation application is Sunday 31 March 2019. Farmers who applied for a derogation in 2018 must also submit fertiliser accounts for 2018 by this date.
New applicants who do not have soil analysis results must assume Index 3 for 2019 but soil sample analysis, in respect of crop year 2020, must be available and the fertiliser plan amended.
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