Saturday deadline for derogation applications
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has announced the application requirements for farmers seeking a nitrates derogation this year.
The closing date for receipt of applications is the day after tomorrow, Saturday, Mar 31.
A copy of the fertiliser plan must be submitted with the application, unless the farmer has an approved derogation for 2010 or 2011, or an approved REPS 4 plan in place.
Minister Coveney said “intensive grassland farmers are allowed to exceed the general limit of 170kg of nitrogen per hectare, per year, from livestock manure on their farm, up to a limit of 250kg, provided that they have a derogation in place.”
Nitrogen and phosphorous statements for 2011 have been issued to the more intensive farmers, to assist them in deciding if they need to apply for a derogation.
The minister encouraged farmers who will exceed the nitrates limits to apply for a derogation, or take other remedial action, and avoid penalties being applied to their scheme payments.
He said the department was continuing the initiative introduced last year to inform the less intensive farmers of their estimated capacity to take in, and use, organic fertilisers as a cheaper alternative to buying-in chemical fertiliser.
“I was encouraged by the response to last year’s initiative and I expect an even greater interest this year from farmers who previously would not have considered taking in slurry,” the minister said.
Farmers who export organic fertilisers in 2012 must report the movement on ‘record 3’ forms to the ‘nitrates section, Johnstown Castle, by Dec 31, for nitrates credit purposes for 2012.
