Farmers breaching nitrates regulations are jeopardising the current regime, senior inspector with the Department of Agriculture Jack Nolan told farmers at a Roches Feeds event in Limerick.

“We could all smell the slurry being spread last month. It needs to become so unacceptable for a farmer to be so stupid as to be spreading slurry on New Year’s Eve," Nolan said.

"All it will mean is that we’ll bring in more restrictions.”

“There are certain parts of the country where we have met maximum capacity for the environment,” he continued, indicating that these areas included the southeast of the country in particular.

Nolan added that the stocking unit would also change.

“The 85kgN/ha won’t be there anymore – it’ll be 90/92kgN/ha,” he said.

He warned that the Department would also start looking at slurry storage specifications and the use of land rental.

“There’s about 300 farmers out of 7,000 derogation claiming commonage,” he said.

“People that are renting bog land to meet requirements will be weeded out over time.”

Department inspector Jack Nolan speaking at a Roches Feeds event in Limerick.

He stressed that farmers should look at the changes as opportunities to strengthen Ireland’s green credentials and get an edge over competitors.

Nolan also reminded those in attendance that the maximum crude protein allowed in rations on derogation farms is falling, at 16% this year and 15% next year.

Farmers in derogation or those who have stocked over 170kgN/ha will be required to take part in compulsory biodiversity training, he confirmed.

A panel of speakers including Professor Pat Wall and Dr Laura Boyle also poured cold water on the idea of dairy expansion unless an adequate plan for the environment is put in place.