Online systems open for 2025 Nitrates Derogation application and Dairy Band confirmation
- Published on: 20 March 2025
- Last updated on: 25 March 2025
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, today announced that 2025 Nitrates Derogation applications can now be made on www.agfood.ie. He also confirmed the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) website has opened to facilitate dairy farmers to confirm their Dairy Band for 2025.
The Minister outlined:
“The Nitrates Derogation gives farmers an opportunity to farm at higher stocking rates, subject to strict conditions that protect the environment and meet the requirements of the Nitrates Directive.
“I encourage farmers to engage as soon as possible with this application process and to discuss their possible need for a Nitrates Derogation with their agricultural advisor."
The closing date for 2025 Nitrates Derogation applications is Thursday 15 May 2025.
Dairy farmers should also confirm their herd’s dairy cow band for 2025 and, if desired, opt-in to receive recognition for managing crude protein in the concentrates fed to their cows across the year. This is confirmed using the ICBF website.
After 15 May, dairy farmers who have not confirmed their herd’s band for 2025 will be defaulted to the highest excretion rate band of 106kg N/dairy cow for 2025, until they submit appropriate information to the department to confirm their herd’s band.
In addition, Minister Heydon confirmed that cattle Nitrogen and Phosphorus statements, including each holding’s cattle grassland stocking rate for the full year 2024 are now available on the department’s online system www.agfood.ie.
A farm’s grassland stocking rate for the previous year determines the farm’s grassland fertiliser allowances and obligations under the Nitrates Action Programme, including the need to engage in measures such as Low Emission Slurry Spreading and the need to take soil samples.
The Minister continued by saying:
“Publication of each farmer’s bovine grassland stocking rate for 2024 is a new service by my department reflecting our commitment to provide the maximum possible information to assist farmer compliance and guide decisions that can impact on water quality.”
The Minister concluded by welcoming the EPA’s publication of their Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator Report for 2024, which shows reduced nitrogen levels last year in a representative sample of Irish rivers.
He said:
"The latest EPA report showing improved water quality data is very welcome. There is currently an unprecedented level of collaboration and engagement across the agri-food sector to reduce its impact on water quality. These results will provide a real boost for the sector that the hard work is paying off. I am confident we can continue to work together to build on this momentum with a view to driving further improvements and securing a continuation of Ireland’s nitrates derogation post-2025."
Further information on water quality, dairy banding and the 2025 Nitrates Derogation Terms and Conditions are available on the department’s website at: www.gov.ie/nitrates.
Notes
Nitrates Derogation
2025 Nitrates Derogation applications can be submitted using the department’s online portal, www.agfood.ie.
The Nitrates Derogation allows farmers to exceed the normal limit of 170kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare set down in the Nitrates Regulations, up to a maximum of 220kg or 250kg per hectare, subject to adherence to stricter rules. In all cases commonage land can only qualify for a maximum allowance of 50kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare.
For a Nitrates Derogation application to be valid, all Terms and Conditions for the Derogation must be adhered to.
Measures all farmers can take to avoid exceeding the nitrates limit for their holding include:
- managing livestock numbers
- renting/leasing/purchasing additional land
- exporting organic nutrients and declaring the movement online within 4 days
Nitrates Dairy Banding
Banding of dairy cow excretion rates was introduced in 2023 reflecting scientific research that shows increasing milk yield increases the dairy cow’s nutrient excretion rate. Banding equalizes the maximum nutrient load across farms.
Dairy farmers must confirm their dairy band each year. This is best done though the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) website which contains pre-populated milk and dairy cow data. Farmers are advised to use either a laptop or PC to confirm their band on ICBF.
Where a dairy farmer has not consented to their milk purchaser sharing their data with ICBF, these farms will need to complete a manual form and provide supporting milk purchaser statements. The 2025 Nitrates Banding Form is available to download on the department’s website at: www.gov.ie/nitrates
The option for a dairy farmer to feed a lower level of crude protein to their herd and achieve a reduced nitrogen excretion rate has been included on the ICBF portal. This opt-in measure is only available to those who declare their band through ICBF.
Additional information on banding and managing crude protein in concentrates for dairy cows is also available on the department’s website.