Ministers announce consultation on proposed changes to Nitrates Action Programme

Agriculture Minister, Michelle Gildernew and Environment Minister, Edwin Poots have announced a joint consultation exercise, proposing changes to implementation of the Nitrates Directive Action Programme.

The Directive is designed to protect surface waters and groundwaters from the harmful effects of agricultural pollution.

The current Nitrates Action Programme which has been in place since 2007, must be reviewed by the end of 2010 and an updated programme put in place for the next four years. In addition, the EU Derogation Decision expires at the end of 2010 and both Ministers reiterated their commitment to secure renewal of the Derogation which is particularly important for the local intensive grassland sector.

Minister Poots said: "The review of the Action Programme has been discussed by the Departments in two meetings with the European Commission earlier this year. Although it is early days for the results of water monitoring programmes, nitrate levels have remained reasonably stable.

Minister Gildernew commented: "Trends showing increased efficiency in manure and fertiliser use by the farming industry are very encouraging. DARD is committed to working with farmers to help them meet the Action Programme requirements. By investing in ongoing research by the Agri Food and Bio Sciences Institute (AFBI) we aim to provide a robust scientific evidence base for local action."

Minister Poots added: "Working in partnership with farmers is key to the success of the Action Programme. Farmers’ compliance with the Action Programme has generally been good, but both Departments recognise there is a need for further guidance and training on some specific areas. The Departments have re-established a working group with stakeholders and I see this as an opportunity to look at what has worked well and to build upon experience to date."

Minister Gildernew added: "The measures under the Nitrates Action Programme promote good environmental practice by farmers. I strongly encourage grassland farmers who are operating close to the 170kg/nitrogen/hectare/year limit to consider applying for the Nitrates Derogation in 2011. The Derogation is an option for intensive grassland farmers who wish to operate at a higher stocking rate. It will permit them to maximise use of the nutrients in manures and reduce the cost of purchased fertiliser, which makes good economic sense. DARD will continue to provide support to any farmer interested in applying to operate under the Derogation."

Stakeholders from the agricultural industry and environmental groups were updated at a meeting held at CAFRE, Greenmount Campus on 16 April 2010 by officials from both Departments on the discussions with the European Commission. Stakeholders were told about a number of issues raised by the European Commission and these issues form a key part of the consultation on the proposed Action Programme for 2011 to 2014.

The consultation period will run until 13 August 2010. The consultation document is available on the DARD and DOE websites.

Notes to editors:

1. The EC Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) requires Member States to introduce action programmes to reduce nitrates from agricultural sources entering the water environment and to review their action programmes every four years.
2. The Nitrates Action Programme Regulations (NI) 2006 (NAP Regulations) came into operation on 1 January 2007 and must be reviewed by 31 December 2010. The NAP Regulations established measures to control the application and storage of livestock manures and fertilisers and apply to all farms across the north of Ireland.
3. The NAP Regulations set a livestock manure application limit of 170kg Nitrogen per hectare per year. Following their introduction, the north of Ireland successfully applied to the European Commission for derogation allowing farmers who meet certain criteria to apply up to 250kg Nitrogen per hectare per year from grazing livestock manures.
4. The review and application to renew the Derogation Decision requires the collation of the scientific evidence and presentation to the EU Nitrates Committee (comprised of Member States) at a number of meetings prior to a vote likely to take place in autumn 2010.
5. A Scientific Working Group comprising officials from DARD, DOE and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) produced a Scientific Review in late 2009. Feedback from a November 2009 stakeholder workshop informed the Review which was then submitted to the European Commission.
6. Departmental officials met with the European Commission in early 2010 and made presentations to the EU Nitrates Committee in January and May 2010. Stakeholders were told about a number of issues raised by the European Commission including manure spreading in February, storage of farmyard manure and poultry litter, spreading of manures and fertilisers on steeply sloping ground and spreading distances from waterways.
7. A Nitrates Guidance Working Group was re-established on 11 May 2010 which will report back to the wider Stakeholder Group. The Working Group is co-chaired by NIEA and DARD and will work in parallel with the consultation to develop improved and updated guidance material in support of the draft 2010 NAP Regulations.
8. The consultation has also been developed within the context of better regulation principles as recommended by the NI Agri-Food Better Regulation and Simplification Review Report (published in June 2009).
9. All media queries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.