Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
452. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there is no tiered system in relation to the spreading of nitrates on land (details supplied); if he will address this matter in order that farmers stocked at 125kg/hectare do not face such a cliff edge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52261/23]
View answerThe maximum amount of chemical nitrogen that can be applied to promote the growth of grass at various stocking rate bands is set out in Table 12 of the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations, also known as the ‘GAP Regulations’ (S.I. 113 of 2022, as amended).
For holdings with an annual grassland stocking rate of less than or equal to 130 kg livestock manure nitrogen per hectare (N/ha), the maximum annual chemical nitrogen allowance is 114 kg/ha, or 92 units/ac.
For those with an annual grassland stocking rate of 131 to 170 kg livestock manure N/ha, the current maximum annual chemical nitrogen allowance is 185 kg/ha or 149 units/ac.
The objective of the GAP Regulations is to reduce and prevent the loss of excess nitrogen from agricultural soils to water. It is fundamental to note that these are maximum chemical nitrogen allowances. There is no obligation or requirement to use the full allowance and the allowance should not been seen as a target. Those who are stocked at the lower end of the stocking rate bands are particularly unlikely to require the full allowance as set out in the GAP Regulations.
Farmers should consider the optimum chemical nitrogen needs for their production system taking into account soil fertility (soil pH, phosphorous and potassium index) and soil type, demand for grass in terms of animal type and stocking rate, grassland management and yield potential, sward composition and the best use of available organic manure on the farm.
Therefore, I strongly encourage each farmer to seek advice from a Farm Advisory Service (FAS) accredited advisor to determine the optimum nutrient management strategy for their farm. This will reduce environmentally harmful emissions and will also ensure the most efficient use of costly inputs.
