A small number of farmers have been found to be in breach of the nitrates regulations in recent months. The Irish Farmers Journal asked county councils how many cases had been reported to them, and how many breaches had been discovered.

In Co Monaghan from 1 October to 6 January there were 10 complaints. Of these, breaches were detected in three cases, with insufficient evidence available in a fourth case. The closed period continues in Monaghan until 31 January.

Since 1 October 2025, Meath County Council had eight reports of spreading of slurry, the application of farmyard manure, or the spreading of dirty water, during the prohibited periods for such actions.

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Four were confirmed as breaches of the regulations. In addition to this, the council also detected a further four instances of such actions which were not reported and which were all breaches of the nitrates regulations.

There were 11 complaints in Tipperary. Six cases were found to be non-breaches, where farmers were spreading soiled water in accordance with regulations. Five cases were breaches, and these were cross-reported to the Department of Agriculture.

Cork County Council shared the number of complaints received during closed periods in recent years. This showed a significant reduction in 2025-2026 compared to previous closed periods, even bearing in mind that the information was for up to 6 January 2026, a week before the closed period ended.

A total of 16 complaints had been made up to 6 January, compared to 36 complaints in 2024-2025 and 30 in 2023-2024. No information was furnished as to how many of these complaints turned out to be breaches of the regulations.

Wexford

Wexford had a total of five complaints during the closed period. Breaches of the regulations were found in all five cases, and all five were cross-reported to the Department of Agriculture.

Galway County Council shared information relating to each calendar year, as opposed to each closed period. In 2026 to the end of the closed period (15 January), there were five complaints relating to slurry spreading out of season.

Three related to soiled water, so no breaches were identified. One case found slurry spreading out of season, it was cross-reported to the Department of Agriculture. A further case is still under investigation.

That compares to three farmers found to be illegally spreading slurry in 2025, none in 2024, and three in 2023.