Nitrates and phosphorus regulations in Northern Ireland

On January 1st, 2007, new legislation came into operation in Northern Ireland introducing measures to improve the use of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients on farms. Its goal is to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in water coming from farms.

The Nitrates Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (.PDF 104Kb) and the Phosphorus (Use In Agriculture) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (.PDF 104Kb) apply to all farmers in Northern Ireland.

The NIEA document Nitrates and Phosphorus Regulations 2007 Summary (.PDF 209Kb) provides a useful summary of these regulations.

The document highlights the key measures that must be followed to meet the standards of the new regulations.

Each of the sections, with the exception of measures on the spreading of chemical phosphorus fertiliser, are cross-compliance standards.

Failure to comply with an action programme means:

• You may have committed an offence under the regulations
• You may have breached a cross-compliance verifiable standard.

This can result in a penalty being applied by Department of Agriculture and Rural Development which could affect your Single Farm Payment.

More information can be found in the full Guidance Booklet (.PDF 1.65Mb) and Guidance Workbook (.PDF 855Kb).

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is responsible for implementing these new regulations. We also aim to assist farmers and growers through this period of change.

Download the Nitrates Derogation application form 2010 (.PDF 88Kb)

Contact us:

If you have any further queries in relation to these new regulations please do not hesitate to contact the Agricultural Regulations Team by using the contact details below:

Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Agricultural Regulations Team
17 Antrim Road
Lisburn
Co Antrim
BT28 3AL

Tel: 028 9262 3184
Fax: 028 9262 3011

For further information see:
 

• Frequently Asked Questions on the Nitrates and Phosphorus Regulations 2007.
• The Background Information on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive in Northern Ireland.