Nitrates Directive kicks in on February 1

IRELAND’S new Nitrates Action Programme limits livestock manure application to 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare, and sets deadlines for farmers to have adequate manure storage capacity installed, ranging as early as December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2008.

The Programme will come into effect generally on February 1, 2006, but certain provisions will be phased in over a three-year period, for example, storage capacity for livestock manure.

Minimum storage capacity required for bovine livestock manure ranges from 16 weeks in Cork, Tipperary or Waterford (and the eight other counties in Zone A) to 18 weeks in Clare, Kerry, or Limerick (and the eight other counties in Zone B), to 20 weeks in Donegal and Leitrim or 22 weeks in Cavan and Monaghan.