Nitrates Directive Derogation

Completed application forms must be received by NIEA on or before 1st March 2013

What does Derogation mean?

The derogation means that, subject to individual farms meeting certain key measures, you can farm above the 170 kg Nitrogen/hectare/year limit to a limit of 250 kg Nitrogen/hectare/year for grazing livestock manure.

Are you eligible for Derogation?

80% or more of the agricultural area of your holding under your control must be grassland. You cannot apply more than 250 kg Nitrogen/hectare/year from grazing livestock manure to land. This includes application by the animal itself.

The precise terms and conditions of the derogation are set out in the EC Decision 2007/863/EC. To operate under the derogation each farmer must meet certain conditions. The key measures are summarised in the Nitrates Directive Derogation Guidance Booklet (.PDF 697Kb).

Where can you get an application form?

If you consider that you are eligible to apply for the derogation, you can download the Nitrates Derogation Application form 2013 (.PDF 142Kb) and guidance is also available on how to fill in the application form in the Nitrates Directive Derogation Guidance Booklet (.PDF 697Kb). or you can contact Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for an application form at:

Northern Ireland Environment Agency
17 Antrim Road
Lisburn
County Antrim
Tel: 028 9262 3189

Application forms are also available from your local DARD office.

Pig and poultry farmers

It is important to note that manure from pigs and poultry will not be eligible for the higher derogation limit and therefore must not exceed the 170 kg Nitrogen/hectare/year limit.

Completed application forms must be received by NIEA on or before 1st March 2013

Other Derogation Documents

Nitrates Derogation Fertilisation plan (.PDF 389Kb) - This plan must be kept on farm. It is not submitted to NIEA but must be prepared and made available for inspection by 1 March on farm each calendar year

Nitrates Derogation Fertilisation Account (.PDF 3.46Mb) - This account must be received by NIEA at the above address each year by 1 March for the previous calendar year. If you operated under a derogation in 2012 and you are applying for derogation in 2013, your application for derogation for the calendar year 2013 must be accompanied by your fertilisation account for the calendar year 2012.

Fertilisation Worksheet (.PDF 94Kb) - This worksheet will assist you to calculate the P Balance on the farm. You do not have to complete this worksheet. However if you do this worksheet can be submitted with the rest of the Fertilisation Account and you do not have to complete the P Balance section of the Fertilisation Account on pages 9-16.

Alternatively you can access the P Balance Calculator at www.ruralni.gov.uk If using the P Balance Calculator you can print the 'Detailed Balance Summary'. Again this can be submitted with the rest of your Fertilisation Account and you do not have to complete the P Balance section of the Fertilisation Account.