Reminder of the restriction on the use of unprotected urea in solid form with effect from 15 September 2025

Further to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Technical Notice issued on 28 February 2025, farmers and other fertiliser end users are being reminded that unprotected urea (i.e. urea that has not been coated with a urease inhibitor) in solid form will no longer be permitted to be spread on land after 14 September 2025.

This restriction applies to all urea nitrogen (N) products with ureic N content of 1% or above, including those products blended with secondary macronutrients (e.g. sulphur) and/or micronutrients (e.g. selenium). However, the restriction does not apply to blends or compounds containing unprotected urea and phosphorus. Furthermore, unprotected urea can still be used in liquid form as a fertiliser.

Moving from unprotected urea to urea in a protected form is a key element of Ireland’s approach to reducing ammonia emissions and ensuring continued compliance with ammonia reduction targets. Further information can be found on the Department’s website www.gov.ie/nitrates.

ENDS