Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
763. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the system for the manual submission of documentation currently in place for farmers who are receiving pig slurry is to be extended beyond the 31 December 2021 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58843/21]
View answerUnder the Nitrates Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2017) farmers are obliged to farm within the limit of 170kg of nitrogen per hectare (or 250kgs/N/ha for those who hold an approved derogation). One of the measures farmers can take to reduce nitrogen levels is to export slurry to another holding.
The deadline for submission of all livestock manure movements is the 31st December 2021 (the deadline was 31st October 2021 for Nitrates Derogation applicants). Movements should be declared on the Department's on-line system.
Currently, due to ongoing IT work, paper Record 3 Forms are being accepted in the case of movements of pig slurry. The final date for submission of these is also 31st December.
It is hoped that pig manure movements will be available on the on-line system shortly. Notification will issue as soon as it becomes available. There is a user manual and a short video demonstrating how to use the system is now available on the Department’s website here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9563-rural-environment-sustainability-nitrates/#nitrates-records
Officials in Nitrates Section are available to assist any farmers or advisors who have queries.
