The Department's records indicate that in 2007, the amount of nitrogen from livestock manure applied to land on the holding of the person named above (including that deposited by animals) was 233.23 kgs per hectare, which exceeded the limit of 170 kgs per hectare set down in the Nitrates Regulations.
My Department wrote to the person named on two occasions in 2008 notifying him that he had exceeded the Nitrogen limit for 2007, and asking him if there were any reasons why he believed the total Nitrogen from livestock manure applied to his lands was not above the 170 kg limit.
As no response was received to either of these two letters, the penalty was imposed. The person named was notified on 18 June 2010 and was advised of his right of appeal. There is no record of any appeal having been received. He was subsequently notified of the actual amount involved on 23 September 2010.
It was open to the person named to appeal this deduction, within a three month time limit from day of final decision (18 June 2010), by letter to the Agriculture Appeals Office, Kilminchy Court, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. The Agriculture Appeals Office is an independent body established to provide an appeals service to farmers in respect of decisions of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food relating to entitlements under the various schemes available.
While the three month deadline has passed, a case can still be made to the Agriculture Appeals Office for acceptance of a late appeal. In making the appeal a person must include all the facts and contentions upon which they intend to rely, together with such documentary evidence that they may wish to submit in support of an appeal.