Commodity watch by assistant policy manager, Aileen Lawson
As we are now in the open period for slurry spreading, the Ulster Farmers’ Union urges members to make themselves aware of the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) requirements to ensure they are compliant and they can keep their farm payments safe, as well as protecting the environment.
There are specific restrictions for spreading in February (and early October). Farmers spreading slurry during the month of February must abide by increased buffer zones in fields adjacent to waterways. These are as follows;
- From 20m to 30m from lakes
- From 10m to 15m from any waterway
- From 3m to 5m if using Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment (LESSE) provided the land has a slope of less than 10%.
The maximum slurry application rate when spreading in February is reduced from 50m3/ha (4500gallons/acre) to 30m3/ha (2700gallons/acre) at any one time. Slurry and other organic manures must only be spread when soil and land conditions are appropriate in line with the NAP requirements and when weather conditions are suitable.
Contractors are also required to comply with these rules so they too should make themselves familiar with the various restrictions so that they remain compliant.
Under the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) for Northern Ireland, farmers must be able to show they meet the 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare limit over a year. This is effectively a stocking limit and those that are over the 170kgN/ha/year must take action to ensure cross compliance penalties are avoided.
Farmers above the 170 kgN/ha/year limit should consider applying for a derogation if they can meet the criteria. The deadline for applying for a nitrates derogation this year has been extend to 10 April 2025. The UFU would urge farmers to relook at their N loading now, to allow them time to consider their options and if necessary, apply for a derogation before the deadline.
A nitrates derogation allows a higher organic nitrogen loading of up to 250 kg N/ha/year on some farms. All other farms in NI must comply with an organic nitrogen loading limit of 170 kg N/ha/year.
The UFU would urge any farmer who feels that they may need a derogation to submit an application online to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) by the extended closing date of 10 April 2025. While the additional requirements may seem off-putting, the derogation option may well be the most suitable option for a farm business.
Farmers who are already operating within an approved derogation for 2024 are required to submit a ‘fertilisation account’ to NIEA by 1 March 2024 and an application form if they wish to continue at the higher stocking rate in 2025. Failure to submit a fertilisation account could result in penalties being applied to area payments. There have been some issues with uploading and submitting the necessary derogation online and the UFU would urge anyone with issues to contact NIEA as soon as possible or get in touch with the Union.
Anyone who requires assistance or would like further clarification on rules can contact their UFU technical officer for more information.
