Preasráitis
N & P Statements for January to November 2023 made available
Ó An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Ó An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has announced that Cattle Only Nitrogen and Phosphorus Statements (N&P Statements) for the period 1 January to 30 November 2023 are now available on the department’s online system www.agfood.ie.
The issuing of N & P Statements throughout the year are particularly useful. They allow farmers ensure compliance with the limits set in the Nitrates Regulations, thus avoiding penalties for breaching the limit of 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare or the limit of 250 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare for those who hold an approved Nitrates Derogation. The maximum stocking rate permitted for commonage is 50 kg organic nitrogen per hectare.
Bearing in mind there is flexibility up to 31 December for dairy farmers to change their option to establish which excretion rate band is applicable to their holding this year, the current statements reflect the declarations made by dairy farmers online through ICBF up to 5 December.
Farmers can access their statement by logging on to www.agfood.ie and selecting N&P Statements. This system can be used by both farmers and their agricultural advisors.
Announcing the availability of the latest interim statement, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, said there was now a further opportunity for farmers to check their nitrates levels to the end of November and compare that against their limit for the year overall.
The Minister also took the opportunity to remind dairy farmers that the spreading of soiled water is now prohibited until 1 January 2024.
The Minister said:
“As an industry it is clear we all must work together to minimise the loss of nutrients from agriculture to water. A key part of this is respecting the closed periods for the application of nutrients to land. We are now in the period where there should be no application of slurry or soiled water. Farmers who breach this closed period are putting the retention of the derogation post 2025 and the entire industry at risk. In line with my commitments earlier this year, I have instructed my officials to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to anybody found spreading slurry or soiled water in breach of the closed period. Farmers also have a role to play in calling out non-compliance in this area.”
The Minister also reminded farmers that completed Nitrate’s declarations for the movement of livestock manure, temporary movement of animals during the year or short-term rental grazing agreements for 2023 must be submitted by 31 December 2023, as follows:
Record 4 and Record 5 Forms as well as a short demonstration video and user manual for the online slurry movement system are all available on the epartment’s website at: www.gov.ie/nitrates.
Record 4 and Record 5 Forms can be submitted by email to nitrates@agriculture.gov.ie or by post to Nitrates Section, Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Y35 PN52.
Please note that the only accepted proof of postage is Swift Post Receipt or Registered Post Receipt.
Submitting these forms, where relevant, by 31st December 2023 can help farmers comply with the 170 kg N/ha livestock manure limit, or the 250 kg N/ha limit in the case of approved derogation farmers. Last year, the vast majority of farmers submitted their forms on time, stayed within their limit and avoided penalties.