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Agricultural Regulations

The Agriculture Regulations Team deal primarily with three aspects of current legislation that affects farmers in Northern Ireland:

1. Silage Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil (SSAFO)

The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 were brought into effect in July 2003 to cover the design, siting, construction and maintenance of Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil stores.

2. European Commission (EC) Nitrates Directive

The EC Nitrates Directive seeks to reduce or prevent the pollution of waters caused by the application and storage of inorganic fertiliser and manure on farmland. It is designed to safeguard drinking water supplies and to prevent wider ecological damage. The Directive requires that farmers must implement an action programme of mandatory measures.

3. Groundwater Authorisations

The EC Groundwater Directive is in place to protect groundwater from future pollution and to reduce current pollution by prohibiting the discharge of certain very dangerous substances into waterways. It lays down detailed rules for the discharge of other less harmful substances.

For the majority of farms in Northern Ireland, this means an authorisation for the disposal of waste sheep dips and pesticides.

For further information on Agricultural Regulations contact:

Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Agricultural Regulations Team
17 Antrim Road
Lisburn BT28 3AL
Tel: 028 9262 3280
Fax: 028 9262 3011