Fifth Nitrates Action Programme 2022-2025

The Government has published Ireland’s Fifth Nitrates Action Programme. The Programme sets out new measures that have been introduced since the Fourth Programme.

Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme is given effect by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 113 of 2022). The regulations contain specific measures to protect surface waters and groundwater from nutrient pollution arising from agricultural sources.

The Fifth Nitrates Action Programme was developed following an initial public consultation, which was held in late 2020, and a second consultation period that concluded in September 2021. A third consultation period focused on the draft Natura Impact Statement and draft Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Programme was concluded on January 2022. Approximately 700 submissions were received during the three consultation periods and these have informed the final Programme.

Additional measures for the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme were developed following an interim review, which identified that more action is needed to achieve improved water quality. The additional measures included a mix of regulatory and non-regulatory measures, and were also subject to public consultation. The additional regulatory measures have been implemented through S.I. 42 of 2025 which came into effect on 25th February 2025. The Determination on the Natura Impact statement for the additional measures is found here: Determination on the Natura Impact Statement (NIS) for the additional measures to the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme.

There have been a number of measures strengthened and added to the Programme since the Fourth Nitrates Action Programme and include the following:

• Register of Chemical Fertiliser Sales to be established by Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) for 2023
• Improving Compliance and Enforcement –The EPA will develop and implement a National Agricultural Inspection Programme for local authorities. These inspections will be more targeted and risk-based with a stronger focus on compliance and follow-up enforcement. DAFM will increase derogation inspections from 5 to 10%
• Slurry and Soil Water Storage and Management – dates of closed period extended
• Livestock Excretion Rates – Three new excretion rate bands are being introduced which will be calculated as 80kg/ha, 92 kg/ha and 106 kg/ha. This means that to remain below the maximum permitted organic nitrogen loads of 250 kg/ha in derogation, there will have to be less cows per ha
• Chemical Fertiliser Control– This will start with 10% reduction of chemical nitrogen applied nationally and may be increased to a 15% reduction nationally after the midterm interim review of the programme
• Sewage/Industrial Sludges – There will be a review of management and oversight
• P Build-Up – This is available to farmers above 130kg/ha
• Green Cover on Tillage Ground - To reduce any potential losses of nutrients post-harvest cultativation/ crop sewing will happen within tighter timelines. Further measures will be introduced in the coming months to address concerns on loss of feeding areas for birds
• Crude Protein in Concentrate Feeds – a maximum crude protein content of 15% is allowed in concentrate feedstuff fed to grazing livestock between 15 April and 30 September
• Organic Matter Determination - from 2022, all soils greater than 20% Organic Matter are required to be soil tested for Organic Matter
• Soil Tests are compulsory for holding above 170kg/ha by 2022, and by 2023 for holdings above 130kg/ha and for sown arable land
• Grazing Land Management – for nutrient planning the stocking rate for commonage is 50kg/ha and * Review of technical tables –Some tables have been updated with the most recent scientific evidence and some tables will be updated in time for the interim review when the scientific evidence is available
• Phased approach for Low Emission Slurry Spreading (2023-2025) for farms above 100kg/ha and must also be used for the application of pig slurry
• Interim Review of the Programme within 2 years.

Measures in the Good Agricultural Practice Regulations:

• Reduction in the maximum stocking rate - a reduction in the maximum organic manure limit of 250 kg N/ha to 220 Kg in targeted areas
• Reducing reliance on chemical fertiliser - a targeted reduction where surplus levels of nitrogen need to be reduced
• Reporting of Organic Nutrient Movements - With effect from the 1st January 2025, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) now require notification of the movement/export of organic nutrients between holdings within four days of the movement occurring
• Measures to mitigate overstocking of land areas - livestock are more likely to be grazed and organic manure is more likely to be applied in close proximity to the main farm holding
• Nutrient excretion rates of young bovines up to two years of age - adjusted to account for latest research
• Managing crude protein in concentrates fed to dairy cows – amended to take account of crude protein reductions in concentrates fed to dairy cows
• Reduction in maximum crude protein content in concentrate feedstuff fed during the grazing season - From the 15 April 2025 the maximum crude protein content will be reduced to 14% on all holdings
• Increase clover use – requirement to incorporate greater amounts of clover on all holdings when reseeding perennial rye grass swards, enabling a more stable form of available nitrogen.
• Restriction of unprotected urea - A restriction on the use of unprotected urea in granular form will apply from 15 September 2025

Non-regulatory Measures

• Teagasc-led “Better Farming for Water” Campaign – to support and accelerate the adoption of actions on all farms to improve all water bodies (where agriculture is a significant pressure) to Good or High Ecological Status.
• Inspections and other enforcement activity to build compliance - local authorities are being adequately resourced to inspect 4,500 farms per annum following a targeted water quality risk-based approach as part of the National Agricultural Inspection Programme
• Improving organic manure storage capacity - focus on enabling increased organic manure storage capacity on farms
• Nutrient balance and animal feed sales/import database - DAFM, in conjunction with stakeholders, will develop a measure for the Sixth NAP that will allow farmers to obtain their farm nutrient balance value. This process will be informed by industry-led pilot catchment projects and the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership
• Multi-species swards - establishment of multi-species swards will be promoted
• Modelling the impacts of agriculture on water quality - A subgroup is being set up under the Nitrates Expert Group to specifically undertake modelling of the impacts of agriculture and the NAP on water quality
• Pilot project to inform development of the sixth NAP - a pilot project will be undertaken in selected waterbodie

To get information about water quality in your local area or water quality activities throughout the country, visit the EPA's Catchments website.

The website contains guidance, maps, data, resources, case studies and water-related news from around Ireland. You can also sign up for a quarterly Catchments Newsletter and for updates about relevant events in your county.