Irish farmers await nitrates clarification

Farmers are penalised if their average nitrates per hectare for the year exceed their limit (they are not required to remain under the limit every day, it’s the average annual figure that counts).

More up-to-date information on each farmer’s nitrates per hectare has been promised by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue.

Calculating nitrates has been complicated by many recent changes in regulations. However, inadvertently exceeding their permitted nitrates could greatly reduce a farmer’s profitability.