S.I. No. 588/2025 - European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2025

• (h) remove and retain documents and records (including documents held in electronic form) for such period as may be reasonable for further examination, which the authorised person, having regard to all the circumstances, considers necessary for the purposes of exercising any function under these Regulations.

• (5)
• (a) An authorised person who, having entered any premises or boarded any vehicle pursuant to these Regulations, considers that a risk to the environment arises from the carrying on of an activity at the premises or involving the use of the vehicle, may direct the owner or occupier of the premises or the driver of the vehicle to take such measures as are considered by that authorised person to be necessary to remove that risk.

• (b) If the owner, occupier or driver referred to in paragraph (a) fails to comply with a direction of an authorised person under this subsection, the authorised person may do all things as are necessary to ensure that the measures required under the direction are carried out and the costs incurred by him or her in doing any such thing shall be recoverable from the owner or occupier by him or her, or the person by whom he or she was appointed.

• (6) A person shall not—

• (a) refuse to allow an authorised person to enter any premises or board any vehicle or to bring any person or equipment with him or her in the exercise of his or her powers,

• (b) obstruct or impede an authorised person in the exercise of any of his or her powers,

• (c) give to an authorised person information which is to his or her knowledge false or misleading in a material respect, or

• (d) fail or refuse to comply with any direction or requirement of an authorised person.

• (7)
• (a) Where an authorised person in the exercise of his or her powers under this article is prevented from entering any premises, or if the authorised person has reason to believe that evidence related to a suspected offence under these Regulations may be present in any premises and that the evidence may be removed therefrom or destroyed, or if the authorised person has reason to believe that there is a significant immediate risk to the environment, the authorised person or the person by whom he or she was appointed may apply to the District Court for a warrant under this article authorising the entry by the authorised person onto or into the premises.

• (b) If, on application being made to the District Court under this article, the District Court is satisfied, on the sworn information of the authorised person that he or she has been prevented from entering a premises, the Court may issue a warrant authorising that person, accompanied, if the Court deems it appropriate by another authorised person or a member of the Garda Síochána, as may be specified in the warrant, at any time or times within one month from the date of the issue of the warrant, on production if so requested of the warrant, to enter, if need be by force, the premises concerned and exercise the powers referred to in sub-article (4) or (5).

• (8) An authorised person may, in the exercise of any power conferred on him or her by these Regulations involving the bringing of any vehicle to any place, or where he or she anticipates any obstruction in the exercise of any other power conferred on him or her by these Regulations, request a member of the Garda Síochána to assist him or her in the exercise of such a power and any member of the Garda Síochána to whom he or she makes such a request shall comply with this request.

• (9) Any certificate or other evidence given, or to be given, in respect of any test, examination or analysis of any sample shall, in relation to that sample, be evidence, without further proof, of the result of the test, examination or analysis unless the contrary is shown.

• (10) When exercising any power conferred on him or her by these Regulations an authorised person shall, if requested by any person affected, produce a certificate or other evidence of his or her appointment as an authorised person.

• (11) A person may be appointed as an authorised person for the purposes of these Regulations by the Minister, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine or the Agency.

• (12) In this article “premises” includes land whether or not there are any structures on the land.

Offences and related matters

27.

• (a) on summary conviction to a Class A fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or both, or

• (b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

• (2) Where an offence under these Regulations has been committed by a body corporate and it is proved to have been so committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of any person who, when the offence was committed, was a director, manager, secretary or other officer of the body corporate, or a person purporting to act in any such capacity, that person, as well as the body corporate, is guilty of an offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished as if guilty of the first-mentioned offence.

• (3) Where the affairs of a body corporate or unincorporated body are managed by its members, sub-article (2) shall apply to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with the functions of management as if such a member were a director or manager of the body.

• (4) A prosecution for a summary offence under these Regulations may be taken by a local authority or the Agency.

• (5) A prosecution for a summary offence may be taken by a local authority whether or not the offence is committed in the functional area of the authority.

• (6) Where a court imposes a fine or affirms or varies a fine imposed by another court for an offence under these Regulations, prosecuted by the Agency or a local authority, it shall, on the application of the Agency or local authority concerned (made before the time of such imposition, affirmation or variation), provide by order for the payment of the amount of the fine to the Agency or local authority, as the case may be, and such payment may be enforced by the Agency or local authority, as the case may be, as if it were due to it on foot of a decree or order made by the court in civil proceedings.

• (7) Where a person is convicted of an offence under these Regulations the court shall, unless it is satisfied that there are special and substantial reasons for not so doing, order that person to pay to the Agency or local authority concerned the costs and expenses, measured by the court, reasonably incurred by the Agency or local authority in relation to the investigation, detection and prosecution of the offence, including costs incurred in the taking of samples, the carrying out of tests, examinations and analyses and in respect of the remuneration and other expenses of employees, consultants and advisers.

• (8)
• (a) Where a local authority has reason to believe that an offence has been or is being committed in relation to a holding the authority may by notice require the person who appears to the authority to be the occupier to provide such information as is specified in the notice in relation to the alleged offence and it shall be the duty of that person to provide such information within the time frame specified in the notice insofar as is known to him or her.

• (b) A notice issued in accordance with paragraph (a) shall set out the provisions of Articles 23(1) and 25 and of sub-article (1).

• (9) Where a local authority considers that an offence under these Regulations has been or is being committed in relation to a holding the authority shall take such enforcement measures as are warranted by the circumstances and as are necessary to ensure satisfactory compliance with these Regulations and which, save in the case of a trivial or insignificant offence or specific mitigating circumstances, shall include prosecution for the alleged offence.

• (10)
• (a) Where on application by motion by the Agency or a local authority to the District Court, Circuit Court or the High Court, the court hearing the application is satisfied that a person has failed or is failing to comply with a provision of Parts 2 to 5 of these Regulations, the court may by order—

• (i) direct the person to comply with the provisions,

• (ii) make such other provision, including provision in relation to the payment of costs, as the court considers appropriate, and

• (iii) make such interim or interlocutory order as it considers appropriate.

• (b) An application for an order under this article may be made whether or not there has been a prosecution for an offence under these Regulations in relation to the relevant failure of compliance and shall not prejudice the initiation of a prosecution for an offence under these Regulations in relation to the failure of compliance.

• (11) The powers, duties and functions assigned to a local authority or the Agency by this article are additional to, and not in substitution for, the powers, duties and functions assigned by the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 and 1990 or any other statute.

• (12) A local authority shall maintain a register of inspections undertaken of farm holdings and information received for the purposes of Article 27(8) and shall keep updated a record of all enforcement measures undertaken in accordance with the requirements of Article 27(9) and Article 30(6).

PART 6 FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

28.

• (2) The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine shall, in relation to each year, make the overall results of monitoring and evaluations carried out in accordance with sub-article (1) available to the Agency, to the Minister and, on request, to a local authority.

• (3) The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine shall prepare and keep updated a register of all holdings and shall, on request, make a copy of the register available to the Minister, the Agency or a local authority.

• (4) The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine shall make available to the Minister, a local authority or the Agency a report of an inspection or inspections carried out for the purposes of these Regulations or upon written request other information in relation to any holding or holdings as the case may be where such transfer of data is necessary for the purposes of ensuring compliance with these Regulations.

• (5) The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine shall make available, upon written request, information in relation to any holding or holdings, as the case may be, where such transfer of data is necessary for the purposes of carrying out any functions set out in these regulations, including for the purpose of promoting compliance with these Regulations. Such information may be requested by the following—

• (a) the Minister,

• (b) an individual local authority,

• (c) a representative local authority under a local authority shared service established for the purpose of carrying out functions set out in these regulations including for the purpose of promoting compliance with these Regulations,

• (d) Teagasc for the purpose of promoting compliance with these Regulations,

• (e) the Agency,

• (f) A third party may be certified to provide a service for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the provision of data in order for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to monitor and evaluate compliance with Article 21 and Table 7. The third party shall then confirm the banding of each respective dairy herd to the occupier of the holding and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

• (6) The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine shall ensure compliance with the Data Sharing and Governance Act, No. 5 of 2019 in making available any information under sub-article (5) above.

Making and review of action programme by the Minister

29.

• (2) An action programme required by sub-article (1) shall include all such measures as are necessary for the purposes of Article 5 of the Nitrates Directive and shall contain a review of the action programme most recently made for those purposes and of such additional measures and reinforced actions as may have been taken.

• (3) The Minister shall ensure that all interested parties are given early and effective opportunities to participate in the preparation, review and revision of an action programme required by this article and for this purpose shall—

• (a) inform interested parties by public notices or other appropriate means including electronic media, in relation to any proposals for the preparation, review or revision of an action programme,

• (b) make available to interested parties information in relation to the proposals referred to in paragraph (a) including information about the right to participate in decision-making in relation to those proposals,

• (c) provide an opportunity for comment by interested parties before any decision is made on the establishment, review or revision of an action programme,

• (d) in making any such decision, take due account of the comments made by interested parties and the results of the public participation, and

• (e) having examined any comments made by interested parties, make reasonable efforts to inform those parties of the decisions taken and the reasons and considerations on which those decisions are based, including information on the public participation process.

• (4) The Minister shall ensure that such reasonable time is allowed as is sufficient to enable interested parties to participate effectively.

• (5) Where the Minister publishes any information in accordance with this article, the Minister shall—

• (a) do so in such manner as the Minister considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing that information to the attention of the public, and

• (b) make copies of that information accessible to interested parties free of charge through a website or otherwise.

• (6) The Minister shall specify by way of public notice on a website or otherwise the detailed arrangements made to enable public participation in the preparation, review or revision of an action programme, including—

• (a) the address to which comments in relation to those proposals may be submitted, and

• (b) the date by which such comments should be received.

• (7) In this Article “interested parties” includes persons who—

• (a) are carrying on any business which relies upon the water environment or which is affected, or likely to be affected, by the action programme, or

• (b) are carrying on any activities which have or are likely to have an impact on water status, or

• (c) have an interest in the protection of the water environment whether as users of the water environment or otherwise.

Agency

30.

• (2) The Agency and Teagasc shall undertake assessments of the effectiveness of measures being implemented through the Sixth Nitrates Action Programme, in relation to achieving water quality outcomes, and shall submit a report or reports to the Minister by 1 October 2027 with the results of that assessment and with recommendations as to such additional measures, if any, as appear to be necessary to prevent and reduce water pollution from agricultural sources. In preparing the reports required under sub-articles (1) and (2) the Agency shall consult with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the coordinating local authority in each river basin district, and such other persons as it considers appropriate.

• (3) The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the relevant local authorities, Uisce Éireann, and other water suppliers shall provide the Agency with such information appropriate to their functions as may be requested by the Agency for the purposes of these Regulations.

• (4) Each monitoring programme prepared by the Agency for the purposes of Article 10 of European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations, 2003 ( S.I. No. 722 of 2003 ) shall include provision for such monitoring as is necessary for the purposes of these Regulations.

• (5) The Agency shall make recommendations and shall, where considered necessary, give directions to each local authority in relation to the monitoring and inspections to be carried out, or other measures to be taken, by the authority for the purposes of these Regulations. The Agency may revise such recommendations and directions at such times thereafter as the Agency considers appropriate.

• (6) The powers, duties and functions assigned to the Agency by these Regulations are additional to, and not in substitution for, the powers, duties and functions assigned to the Agency by section 63 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (No. 7 of 1992) or any other statute.

Local authorities

31.

• (2) A local authority shall carry out or cause to be carried out such inspections of farm holdings as is necessary for the purposes of these Regulations and shall aim to coordinate its inspection activities with inspections carried out by other public authorities.

• (3) For the purposes of sub-article (2) a local authority shall aim to develop co-ordination arrangements with other public authorities with a view to promoting consistency of approach in inspection procedures and administrative efficiencies between public authorities and to avoid any unnecessary duplication of administrative procedures and shall have regard to any inspection protocol which may be developed by the Minister, following consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

• (4) A local authority shall, in the exercise of its functions for the purposes of these Regulations—

• (a) consult to such extent as it considers appropriate with the Minister, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Agency, Uisce Éireann and such other persons as it considers appropriate, and

• (b) have full regard to any recommendations made, and comply with any direction given, to the authority by the Agency in accordance with Article 30.

• (5) A local authority shall follow any protocol established by the Minister for furnishing a report of an inspection or inspections to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and such other persons as it considers appropriate for the purposes of these Regulations where non-compliance has been detected.

• (6) A local authority shall maintain a register of all prior investigations carried out by the local authority itself or by Uisce Éireann or other water supplier within its jurisdiction, and distances specified, for the purposes of Article 18.

Compliance with Data Protection Acts

32.

Certificate in relation to nutrient content of fertiliser

33.

• (2) A certificate issued under this Article shall be valid for such period, not exceeding twelve months, as shall be specified in the certificate.

• (3) In this article “competent authority” means—

• (a) the Agency in relation to fertiliser arising in an activity in relation to which there is in force a licence under Part IV of the Act of 1992, and

• (b) the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to any other fertiliser.

• (4) Notice of the methodologies used for the purposes of sub-article (1) shall be notified to the European Commission by the competent authority.

Exemption for exceptional circumstances for research

34.

• (2) A temporary exemption for the purposes of sub-article (1) shall be granted by way of certificate issued to the person carrying out the research by the Agency or the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and shall be subject to such conditions, if any, as are specified in the certificate.

• (3) A certificate issued for the purposes of this article shall specify the nature, extent and duration of the exemption to which the certificate relates and a copy of the certificate shall be sent as soon as may be to the relevant local authority.

SCHEDULE 1 SOIL TEST

A soil test refers to the results of an analysis of a soil sample carried out by a soil-testing laboratory that meets the requirements of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for this purpose.

The analysis for phosphorus and, where appropriate, organic matter content and soil pH, and the taking of soil samples shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures below.

Analysis for Phosphorus

The Morgan’s extractable P test as detailed below shall be used to determine the Soil P Index.

Preparation of soil sample

The soil shall be dried at 40°C for at least 24 hours (longer if necessary to ensure complete drying) in a forced draught oven with moisture extraction facilities. It shall then be sieved through a 2 mm mesh screen to remove stones and plant debris. After thorough mixing, it shall be sub-divided to obtain a representative sample. Where large samples are received at the laboratory, the entire sample shall be dried and sieved prior to sub-sampling for analysis.

Morgan’s extracting solution

Constituents— 1,400 ml of 40% NaOH in approximately 15 litres of water. Add 1,440 ml of glacial acetic acid. Make up to 20 litres with water and adjust pH to 4.8. The pH of the solution must be checked regularly and adjusted as necessary before use. A volume ratio of one part sieved soil to five parts of solution must be used, e.g. 6 ml of the prepared soil sample is extracted with a 30 ml volume of Morgan’s extracting solution. The sample shall be shaken for 30 minutes to get a suitable mix and permit intended reaction, after which it is filtered through a No. 2 Whatman filter paper into vials for analysis. The filtered extract shall be analysed using standard laboratory techniques.

Results shall be reported in mg per litre.

Analysis of organic matter

Organic matter content shall be determined by loss on ignition.

Place a quantity of the prepared soil sample in an oven for 16 hours at 105°C. Remove and cool in a desiccator. Put approximately 4 g of this soil into a pre- weighed crucible and determine the weight of the soil (initial weight). Place in a muffle furnace at 500°C for 16 hours for ashing. Remove the crucible, cool in a desiccator and determine the weight of the ash (final weight).

The organic matter of the soil is the difference in weight between the initial and final weights expressed as a percentage of the initial weight.

Analysis of soil pH

Soil pH shall be determined by measuring pH in a soil:water suspension of 1:2 ratio. Place 10 ml of dried sieved soil and 20 ml of deionised water into a suitable container. Mix thoroughly and allow to stand for at least 10 minutes. Stir for 30 seconds, and allow to settle immediately before recording the pH on a meter calibrated using buffer solutions of pH 4.0 and 7.0

Soil Sampling Procedure

The soil sample shall be taken in accordance with the procedure as specified below—

Figure 1: Sampling pattern

SCHEDULE 2

Article 8

CRITERIA AS TO STORAGE CAPACITY AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

Table 1 Slurry storage capacity required for sows and pigs

Unit type	m^3/week^1	m^3/week^1	m^3/week^1	m^3/week^1	m^3/week^1
Water:meal ratio changing for finishers only	2.0:1	2.5:1	3.0:1	3.5:1	4.0:1
Breeding unit (per sow place)	-	-	-	-	0.174
Integrated unit (per sow place)	0.312	0.355	0.398	0.441	0.483
Finishing unit (per pig)	0.024	0.031	0.039	0.046	0.053

^1An additional 200 mm freeboard must be provided in all covered tanks and 300 mm freeboard in all uncovered tanks. Allowance must also be made for net rainfall during the specified storage period for uncovered tanks.

Table 2 Slurry storage capacity required for cattle, sheep and poultry

Livestock type	m^3/week^1
Dairy cow	0.33^2
Suckler cow	0.29
Cattle > 2 years	0.26
Cattle (18-24 months old)	0.26
Cattle (12-18 months old)	0.15
Cattle (6-12 months old)	0.15
Cattle (0-6 months old)	0.08
Lowland ewe	0.03
Upland ewe	0.02
Lamb-finishing	0.01
Poultry — layers per 1000 birds (30% DM)	0.81

^1An additional 200 mm freeboard must be provided in all covered tanks and 300 mm freeboard in all uncovered tanks. Allowance must also be made for net rainfall during the specified storage period for uncovered tanks.

^2With effect from 1 October 2028 the slurry storage capacity required per dairy cow shall be 0.40 m^3/week.

Table 3 Soiled water storage capacity required for dairy cows

Livestock type	m^3/week^1, 2
Dairy cow	0.21

^1Soiled water which is stored together with slurry is deemed to be slurry.

^2With effect from 1 October 2028 the soiled water storage capacity required per dairy cow shall be 0.30 m^3/week.

Table 4 Storage capacity required for dungstead manure

Livestock type	Solid fraction (m^3/week)	Seepage fraction (m^3/week)^1
Dairy cow	0.28	0.04
Suckler cow	0.25	0.03
Cattle > 2 years	0.23	0.02
Cattle (18-24 months old)	0.23	0.02
Cattle (12-18 months old)	0.13	0.01
Cattle (6-12 months old)	0.13	0.01
Cattle (0-6 months old)	0.07	0.01

^1Allowance must also be made for net rainfall during the specified storage period for uncovered tanks.

Table 5 Average net rainfall during the specified storage period

County	Millimetres per week
Carlow	24
Cavan	27
Clare	32
Cork	37
Donegal	38
Dublin	17
Galway	34
Kerry	45
Kildare	18
Kilkenny	23
Laois	22
Leitrim	33
Limerick	26
Longford	23
Louth	20
Mayo	40
Meath	19
Monaghan	23
Offaly	20
Roscommon	26
Sligo	32
Tipperary	27
Waterford	31
Westmeath	21
Wexford	25
Wicklow	33

Article 9

Table 6 Storage capacity required for effluent produced by ensiled forage

Crop	Minimum storage requirement (m^3/100 tonnes)	Minimum storage requirement (m^3/100 tonnes)
	Short Term Storage^1	Full Storage
Grass	7	21
Arable silage	7	21
Maize	4	10
Sugar beet tops	15	50

^1Only permitted where a vacuum tanker or an irrigation system is available on the holding.

Article 14 and 21

Table 7 Annual nutrient excretion rates for livestock

Livestock type	Total Nitrogen	Total Phosphorus
	kg/year	kg/year
Dairy cow band 1^12	80^5	12
Dairy cow band 2^3	92^5	13.6
Dairy cow band 3^4	106^5	15.8
Suckler cow	65	10
Calf (0 to 90 days of age)	1^a	0.1^a
Cattle (aged 91 days and older for the remainder of the first year of life)	20^b	2.8^b
Cattle (female 1-2 years old)	55	8
Cattle (male 1-2 years old)	61	9
Cattle > 2 years^6	65	10
Upland^7 ewe & her lambs	7	1
Lowland^8 ewe & her lambs	13	2
Upland^7 hogget	4	0.6
Lowland^8 hogget	6	1
Goat	9	1
Horse (>3 years old)	50	9
Horse (2-3 years old)	44	8
Horse (1-2 years old)	36	6
Horse foal (< 1 year old)	25	3
Donkey/small pony	30	5
Deer (red) 6 months-2 years	13	2
Deer (red) > 2 years	25	4
Deer (fallow) 6 months-2 years	7	1
Deer (fallow) > 2 years	13	2
Deer (sika) 6 months-2 years	6	1
Deer (sika) > 2 years	10	2
Breeding unit (per sow place)	35	8
Integrated unit (per sow place)	87	17
Finishing unit (per pig place)	9.2	1.7
Laying hen per bird place	0.56	0.12
Broiler per bird place	0.24	0.09
Turkey per bird place	1	0.4

^1 The Nitrogen and Phosphorus excretion rate of the dairy cow will be determined by the average milk yield per annum for the three preceding years or the year preceding the implementation of the respective band as explained in footnote 2, 3 and 4. For a new dairy entrant the dairy cow excretion rate band will be determined by the average milk yield for the year in question.

^2 <4,500 kg milk yield per annum.

^3 4,500 – 6,500 kg milk yield per annum.

^4 >6,500 kg milk yield per annum.

^5 dairy cows in herds where the farmer has elected to limit the annual average crude protein in concentrate feed fed to dairy cows to a maximum of 15% or a value below this will be considered to have the annual nitrogen excretion rates set out in Table 7a.

^6 A cow on a non-milk producer holding shall be considered to be a suckler cow or a bovine >2 years.

^7 Upland includes Mountain and Pure Bred Mountain types.

^8 Lowland includes Lowland Cross, Mountain Cross, Lowland and Pure Bred Lowland types.

^a Total applicable for the 90-day period.

^b Total applicable for remainder of the animal’s first year from 91 days of age onwards.

Table 7a Annual Nitrogen Excretion rates for Dairy Cows in herds where the farmer has elected to limit the annual average crude protein in concentrate feed fed to dairy cows to a maximum of 15% or a value below this.

Farmers who wish to avail of the nutrient excretion rates outlined below must elect to do so and provide records in a manner prescribed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

	Nitrogen Excretion Rate kg/cow/year	Nitrogen Excretion Rate kg/cow/year	Nitrogen Excretion Rate kg/cow/year
Dairy Cow Band for year	Band 1^a	Band 2^a	Band 3^a
Average crude protein in concentrate feedstuff^b fed to dairy cows for the year greater than 14% but less than or equal to 15%^c	79	90	103
Average crude protein in concentrate feedstuff^b fed to dairy cows for the year greater than 13% but less than or equal to 14%^c	78	89	100
Average crude protein in concentrate feedstuff^b fed to dairy cows for the year less than or equal to 13%^c	76	87	98

^a As set out in Table 7.

^b Average crude protein in concentrate feedstuff is rounded to the nearest integer.

^c Average crude protein is on an “as fed” basis. It shall be based on the average crude protein across all concentrate feed fed to dairy cows in the preceding calendar year. In the case of a new dairy entrant, it shall be based on the average crude protein across all concentrate feed fed to dairy cows in the current calendar year.

Table 8 Amount of nutrient contained in 1m3 of slurry

Livestock type	Total Nitrogen (kg)	Total Phosphorus (kg)
Cattle	2.4	0.5
Pig	4.2	0.8
Sheep	10.2	1.5
Poultry — layers 30% DM	13.7	2.9

For the purposes of calculation, assume that 1 m^3 = 1,000 litres = 1 tonne = 1000 kg.

Table 9 Amount of nutrients contained in 1 tonne of organic fertilisers other than slurry

Livestock type	Livestock type	Total Nitrogen (kg)	Total Phosphorus (kg)
Poultry manure	broilers/deep litter	28.0	6.0
	layers 55% dry matter	23.0	5.5
	turkeys	28.0	13.8
Dungstead manure (cattle)		3.5	0.9
Farmyard manure		4.5	1.2
Spent mushroom compost		8	1.5
Sewage sludge	Sewage sludge	Total nitrogen and total phosphorus content per tonne shall be declared by the supplier in accordance with the Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations,1998 to 2001 and any subsequent amendments thereto and this must be submitted to the local authority and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.	Total nitrogen and total phosphorus content per tonne shall be declared by the supplier in accordance with the Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations,1998 to 2001 and any subsequent amendments thereto and this must be submitted to the local authority and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Food processing residues and other products not listed above	Food processing residues and other products not listed above	Total nitrogen and total phosphorus content per tonne based on certified analysis shall be provided by the supplier. This must be submitted to the local authority and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.	Total nitrogen and total phosphorus content per tonne based on certified analysis shall be provided by the supplier. This must be submitted to the local authority and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Article 15

Table 10 Nutrient availability in fertilisers

Fertiliser	Availability (%)	Availability (%)	Availability (%)
	Nitrogen	Phosphorus^2	Phosphorus^2
		Soil Index 1& 2^1	Soil Index 3 & 4
Chemical	100	100	100
Pig and poultry manure	50	50	100
Farmyard manure	30	50	100
Spent mushroom compost	20	50	100
Cattle and other livestock manure (including that produced on the holding)	40	50	100

^1The nutrient availability of Phosphorus is 100% available when Phosphorus containing fertilisers are applied to peat soils and/or soils with more than 20% organic matter with a Phosphorus Index of 1 or 2.

^2.The fertilisation rates for peat soils and/or soils with more than 20% organic matter must not exceed the amounts permitted for Phosphorus Index 3 soils, subject to the provisions in Article 18(3).

Table 10a Nutrient availability in compost

Compost C:N ratio^1	N availability (%)
<10	25
12.5	17.5
15.0	10
17.5	5.5
>20	0.0

^1The determination of the C:N ratio shall be based on a methodology agreed with the Agency or the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Table 11 Determining Nitrogen Index for tillage crops

Tillage crops that follow permanent pasture	Tillage crops that follow permanent pasture	Tillage crops that follow permanent pasture	Tillage crops that follow permanent pasture
Nitrogen Index	Nitrogen Index	Nitrogen Index	Nitrogen Index
Index 1	Index 2	Index 3	Index 4
The 5th tillage crop following permanent pasture. For subsequent tillage crops use the continuous tillage table.	The 3rd or 4th tillage crop following permanent pasture. If original permanent pasture was cut only, use Index 1.	The 1st or 2nd tillage crop following permanent pasture (see also Index 4). If original permanent pasture was cut only, use Index 2.	The 1st or 2nd tillage crop following very good permanent pasture which was grazed only.
Continuous tillage: — crops that follow short leys (1-4 years) or tillage crops	Continuous tillage: — crops that follow short leys (1-4 years) or tillage crops	Continuous tillage: — crops that follow short leys (1-4 years) or tillage crops	Continuous tillage: — crops that follow short leys (1-4 years) or tillage crops
Previous crop	Previous crop	Previous crop	Previous crop
Index 1	Index 2	Index 3	Index 4
Cereals Maize	Sugar beet Fodder beet Potatoes Mangels Kale Oil seed rape Peas Beans
	Leys (1-4 years) grazed or cut and grazed
	Swedes removed	Swedes grazed in situ
Vegetables receiving less than 200 kg/ha nitrogen	Vegetables receiving more than 200 kg/ha nitrogen

Table 12 Phosphorus Index system

Soil phosphorus index	Soil phosphorus ranges (mg/l)	Soil phosphorus ranges (mg/l)
	Grassland	Other crops
1	0.00-3.04	0.00-3.04
2	3.05-5.04	3.05-6.04
3	5.05-8.00	6.05-10.00
4	> 8.01	>10.01

Table 13 Annual maximum fertilisation rates of nitrogen on grassland

Grassland Stocking Rate (kg/ha in previous year)^1	Available Nitrogen^2, 4, 5 (kg/ha)
≤85	90
86-130	114
131-170	185
For those greater than 170 kg/ha in previous year^3	For those greater than 170 kg/ha in previous year^3
171-210	241
>210^6	214

^1 For new entrants or occupiers with stocking rate alterations the grassland stocking rate shall be the lesser of the actual or projected current year grassland stocking rate.

^2 The maximum nitrogen fertilisation of grassland shall not exceed that specified for stocking rates less than or equal to 170 kg/ha/year unless a minimum of 5% of the eligible area of the holding is used to grow crops other than grass or a derogation applies in respect of the holding. Where a derogation applies on the holding derogation rates apply based on stocking rate of the holding. For a new derogation applicant they may apply the derogation rate of 214 kg/ha for the 1st year only and from year 2 onwards must use rates as per the previous year’s Grassland Stocking Rate on the holding.

^3 This table does not imply any departure from Article 21(1) which prohibits the application to land on a holding of livestock manure in amounts which exceed 170 kg nitrogen per hectare per year, including that deposited by the animals themselves (or the appropriate higher limit in the case of a holding to which a derogation has been granted, in accordance with the Nitrates Directive).

^4 Application of these fertilisation rates to an eligible area, must exclude uninhibited urea products in solid form, which are a chemical fertiliser with ureic N content of 1% or above, including those products containing secondary macronutrients (e.g. sulphur) and/or micronutrients (e.g. selenium) and excluding liquid products and those products containing uninhibited urea and phosphorus.

^5 The application of nitrogen from livestock manure (including that deposited by the animals themselves) to the eligible grassland area shall not exceed the maximum allowable nitrogen per hectare per year, as appropriate, in the case of a holding to which a derogation has been granted, in accordance with the Nitrates Directive.

^6 For milk producers with a previous year milking platform stocking rate >259 kg organic N/ha, the holding must adhere to the maximum allowance of chemical Nitrogen based on that milking platform stocking rate and the quantity of organic nitrogen that is moved outside the milking platform as set out in Table 14, as appropriate to the holding.

Table 14

Requirement to move organic Nitrogen produced by dairy cows on the holding to outside of the milking platform based, on annual milking platform stocking rate and chemical Nitrogen allowance for the milking platform.

Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 114 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 114 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 114 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 114 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 114 kg N/ha^3
Milking Platform Stocking Rate (kg N/ha)^1	≤386	387-406	407-426	≥427
Minimum quantity of organic N (kg N/ha) to move outside the milking platform^2	None	20	40	≥41
Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 150 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 150 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 150 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 150 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 150 kg N/ha^3
Milking Platform Stocking Rate (kg N/ha)^1	≤350	351-370	371-390	≥391
Minimum quantity of organic N (kg N/ha) to move outside the milking platform^2	None	20	40	≥41
Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 185 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 185 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 185 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 185 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 185 kg N/ha^3
Milking Platform Stocking Rate (kg N/ha)^1	≤315	316-335	336-355	≥356
Minimum quantity of organic N (kg N/ha) to move outside the milking platform^2	None	20	40	≥41
Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 200 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 200 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 200 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 200 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 200 kg N/ha^3
Milking Platform Stocking Rate (kg N/ha)^1	≤300	301-320	321-340	≥341
Minimum quantity of organic N (kg N/ha) to move outside the milking platform^2	None	20	40	≥41
Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 214 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 214 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 214 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 214 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 214 kg N/ha^3
Milking Platform Stocking Rate (kg N/ha)^1	≤286	287-306	307-326	≥327
Minimum quantity of organic N (kg N/ha) to move outside the milking platform^2	None	20	40	≥41
Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 241 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 241 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 241 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 241 kg N/ha^3	Milking platform available chemical nitrogen allowance 241 kg N/ha^3
Milking Platform Stocking Rate (kg N/ha)^1	≤259	260-279	280-299	≥300
Minimum quantity of organic N (kg N/ha) to move outside the milking platform^2	None	20	40	≥41

^1The milking platform stocking rate for the year 2026 will be based on the current year. For subsequent years, it will be based on the preceding year’s milking platform stocking rate. For new dairy entrants it will be based on the current year.

^2Kg of organic N/ha of land constituting the milking platform, that shall be moved in the form of organic manure collected from the dairy cow during the year.

^3The chemical nitrogen allowance on a per hectare basis for the milking platform shall not exceed the holding’s overall chemical nitrogen allowance on a per hectare basis as set out in Table 13.

Table 15a Annual maximum fertilisation rates of phosphorus on grassland

Grassland stocking rate (kg/ha in previous year)^1	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index
	1	2	3	4
	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha) ^2,3,6	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha) ^2,3,6	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha) ^2,3,6	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha) ^2,3,6
≤85	27	17	7	0
86-130	30	20	10	0
131-170	33	23	13	0
Grassland stocking rate greater than 170 kg/ha/year^4,5,7	Grassland stocking rate greater than 170 kg/ha/year^4,5,7	Grassland stocking rate greater than 170 kg/ha/year^4,5,7	Grassland stocking rate greater than 170 kg/ha/year^4,5,7	Grassland stocking rate greater than 170 kg/ha/year^4,5,7
171-210	36	26	16	0
>210	39	29	19	0

^1 For new entrants or occupiers with stocking rate alterations the grassland stocking rate shall be the lesser of the actual or projected current year grassland stocking rate.

^2 The fertilisation rates for soils which have more than 20% organic matter shall not exceed the amounts permitted for Index 3 soils, subject to the provisions in Article 17(4).

^3 Manure produced by grazing livestock on a holding may be applied to Index 4 soils (as per soil test result or assumed where subject to the provisions in Article 17(4) on that holding in a situation where there is a surplus of such manure remaining after the phosphorus fertilisation needs of all crops on soils at phosphorus indices 1, 2 or 3 on the holding have been met by the use only of such manure produced on the holding.

^4 The maximum phosphorus fertilisation of grassland shall not exceed that specified for stocking rates less than or equal to 170 kg/ha/year unless a minimum of 5% of the eligible area of the holding is used to grow crops other than grass or a derogation applies in respect of the holding.

^5 This table does not imply any departure from Article 21(1) which prohibits the application to land on a holding of livestock manure in amounts which exceed 170 kg Nitrogen per hectare per year, including that deposited by the animals themselves (or the appropriate higher limit in the case of a holding to which a derogation has been granted in accordance with the Nitrates Directive).

^6 An additional 15 kg of phosphorus per hectare may be applied on soils at phosphorus indices 1, 2, or 3 for each hectare of grass crop establishment undertaken.

^7 For a new derogation applicant, where the holdings soils phosphorus indices 1, 2 or 3, they may apply the derogation rate applicable to Grassland Stocking Rate of 170-210 kg/ha for the 1^st year only and from year 2 onwards must use rates as per the previous year’s Grassland Stocking Rate on the holding.

Table 15b Annual maximum fertilisation rates of phosphorus on grassland adopting increased P build-up application rates

Grassland stocking rate (kg/ha in previous year)^1	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index
	1	2	3	4
	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha) ^2,3,6	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha) ^2,3,6	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha) ^2,3,6	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha) ^2,3,6
131-170	63	43	13	0
Grassland stocking rate greater than 170 kg/ha/year^4,5,7	Grassland stocking rate greater than 170 kg/ha/year^4,5,7	Grassland stocking rate greater than 170 kg/ha/year^4,5,7	Grassland stocking rate greater than 170 kg/ha/year^4,5,7	Grassland stocking rate greater than 170 kg/ha/year^4,5,7
171-210	66	46	16	0
>210	69	49	19	0

^1 For new entrants or occupiers with stocking rate alterations the grassland stocking rate shall be the lesser of the actual or projected current year grassland stocking rate.

^2 The fertilisation rates for soils which have more than 20% organic matter shall not exceed the amounts permitted for Phosphorus Index 3 soils, subject to the provisions in Article 17(4).

^3 Manure produced by grazing livestock on a holding may be applied to Phosphorus Index 4 soils as per soil test result or assumed where subject to the provisions in Article 17(4) on that holding in a situation where there is a surplus of such manure remaining after the phosphorus fertilisation needs of all crops on soils at Phosphorus Indices 1, 2 or 3 on the holding have been met by the use only of such manure produced on the holding.

^4 The maximum phosphorus fertilisation of grassland shall not exceed that specified for stocking rates less than or equal to 170 kg/ha/year unless a minimum of 5% of the eligible area of the holding is used to grow crops other than grass or a derogation applies in respect of the holding.

^5 This table does not imply any departure from Article 21(1) which prohibits the application to land on a holding of livestock manure in amounts which exceed 170 kg Nitrogen per hectare per year, including that deposited by the animals themselves (or the appropriate higher limit in the case of a holding to which a derogation has been granted in accordance with the Nitrates Directive).

^6 An additional 15 kg of phosphorus per hectare may be applied on soils at Phosphorus Indices 1, 2, or 3 for each hectare of grass crop establishment undertaken.

^7 For a new derogation applicant, where the holdings soils Phosphorus Indices 1, 2 or 3, they may apply the derogation rate applicable to Grassland Stocking Rate of 170-210 kg/ha for the 1^st year only and from year 2 onwards must use rates as per the previous year’s Grassland Stocking Rate on the holding.

Table 16 Annual maximum fertilisation rates of available nitrogen on grassland areas where hay or silage is being cut for sale on holdings with no grazing livestock or a previous year grassland stocking rate of ≤85 kg N/ha

	Available nitrogen (kg/ha)^1,2,3,
First cut of silage	85
Second cut of silage or a cut of hay	70
Third cut of silage	30

^1 Application of these fertilisation rates to an eligible area, must exclude uninhibited urea products in solid form, which are a chemical fertiliser with ureic N content of 1% or above, including those products containing secondary macronutrients (e.g. sulphur) and/or micronutrients (e.g. selenium) and excluding liquid products and those products containing uninhibited urea and Phosphorus.

^2 The maximum allowance is based on a total of three cuts of silage being taken for sale off the holding.

^3 The rates in Table 16 only apply where the occupier has written evidence of sale of the silage or hay.

Table 17 Annual maximum fertilisation rates of phosphorus on grassland areas where hay or silage is being cut for sale on holdings with no grazing livestock or a previous year grassland stocking rate of ≤85 kg N/ha^2

	Phosphorus Index^3	Phosphorus Index^3	Phosphorus Index^3	Phosphorus Index^3
	1	2	3	4
Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1
First cut of silage or a cut of hay	40	30	20	0
Second cut of silage	10	10	10	0
Third cut of silage	10	10	10	0

^1 The fertilisaton rates for soils which have more than 20% organic matter shall not exceed the amounts permitted for Phosphorus Index 3 soils, subject to the provisions in Article 17(4).

^2 The rates in Table 17 only apply where the occupier has written evidence of sale of the silage or hay to a farmer maintaining livestock.

^3 Maximum allowance is based on a total of three cuts of silage being taken for sale off the holding.

Table 18 Maximum fertilisation rates of nitrogen on tillage crops

Crop	Nitrogen Index	Nitrogen Index	Nitrogen Index	Nitrogen Index
	1	2	3	4
Available Nitrogen (kg/ha)^5	Available Nitrogen (kg/ha)^5	Available Nitrogen (kg/ha)^5	Available Nitrogen (kg/ha)^5	Available Nitrogen (kg/ha)^5
Winter Wheat ^1,2	210	180	120	80
Spring Wheat ^1,2	160	130	95	60
Winter Barley ^1	180	155	120	80
Spring Barley ^1,3	135	100	75	40
Winter Oats^1	145	120	85	45
Spring Oats^1	110	90	60	30
Sugar Beet	195	155	120	80
Fodder Beet	195	155	120	80
Potatoes: Main Crop, >120 days^4	250	190	170	140
Potatoes: Maincrop/seed, 90-120 days^4	270	230	210	180
Potatoes: Early, 60-90 days^4	210	170	150	120
Potatoes: Salad, <60 days^4	140	120	100	60
Maize	180	140	110	75
Field Peas/Beans	0	0	0	0
Oil Seed Rape	225	180	160	140
Linseed	75	50	35	20
Swedes/Turnips	90	70	40	20
Kale	150	130	100	70
Forage Rape	130	120	110	90

^1 Where proof of higher yields is available, an additional 20 kg N/ha may be applied for each additional tonne above the following yields:

Winter Wheat — 9.0 tonnes/ha

Spring Wheat — 7.5 tonnes/ha

Winter Barley — 8.5 tonnes/ha

Spring Barley — 6.5 tonnes/ha

Winter Oats — 7.5 tonnes/ha

Spring Oats — 6.5 tonnes/ha

The higher yields shall be based on the best yield achieved in any of the three previous harvests, at 20% moisture content.

^2 Where milling wheat is grown under a written contract to a purchaser of milling wheat, an extra 30 kg N/ha may be applied.

^3 Where malting barley is grown under a written contract to a purchaser of malting barley, an extra 20 kg N/ha may be applied where it is shown on the basis of agronomic advice that additional nitrogen is needed to address a proven low protein content in the grain.

^4 Length of growing season

^5 Application of these fertilisation rates to an eligible area, must exclude uninhibited urea products in solid form, which are a chemical fertiliser with ureic N content of 1% or above, including those products containing secondary macronutrients (e.g. sulphur) and/or micronutrients (e.g. selenium) and excluding liquid products and those products containing uninhibited urea and phosphorus.

Table 19 Maximum fertilisation rates of phosphorus on tillage crops

Crop	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index
	1	2	3	4
	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1
Winter Wheat ^2,3,5	45	35	25	0
Spring Wheat ^2,3	45	35	25	0
Winter Barley ^2,3,5	45	35	25	0
Spring Barley ^2,3	45	35	25	0
Winter Oats ^2,3,5	45	35	25	0
Spring Oats ^2,3	45	35	25	0
Sugar Beet	70	55	40	20
Fodder Beet	70	55	40	20
Potatoes: Main Crop	125	100	75	50
Potatoes: Early	125	115	100	50
Potatoes: Seed/Salad	125	115	100	85
Maize	70	50	40	20^4
Field Peas	40	25	20	0
Field Beans	50	40	20	0
Oil Seed Rape	55	45	35	0
Linseed	35	30	20	0
Swedes/Turnips	70	60	40	40
Kale	60	50	30	0
Forage Rape	40	30	20	0

^1 The fertilisation rates for soils which have more than 20% organic matter shall not exceed the amounts permitted for Phosphorus Index 3 soils.

^2 Where proof of higher yields is available, an additional 3.8 kg P/ha may be applied on soils at Phosphorus Index 1, 2, or 3 for each additional tonne above a yield of 6.5 tonnes/ha. The higher yields shall be based on the best yield achieved in any of the three previous harvests, at 20% moisture content.

^3 Where pH is greater than or equal to 7, 20 kg P/ha may be applied on soils at Phosphorus Index 4.

^4 Must be incorporated prior to or during sowing.

^5 For winter cereals on soils of Phosphorus Index 1 and 2, 20 kg of the maximum P fertilisation rate may be applied up to 31 October, which must be incorporated prior to or during sowing.

Table 20 Maximum fertilisation rates of nitrogen on vegetable crops

Crop	Nitrogen Index	Nitrogen Index	Nitrogen Index	Nitrogen Index	Maximum additional supplementation (Top dressing)
	1	2	3	4
	Available Nitrogen (kg/ha)^1	Available Nitrogen (kg/ha)^1	Available Nitrogen (kg/ha)^1	Available Nitrogen (kg/ha)^1	Available Nitrogen (kg/ha)^1
Asparagus (Establishment)	140	115	95	70
Asparagus (After harvest)	0	0	0	0	70
Broad Beans	0	0	0	0
French Beans	90	85	75	70
Beetroot	140	125	105	90
Brussels Sprouts	120	115	105	100	180
Spring Cabbage	50	35	15	0	250
Other Cabbage	150	135	115	100	100
Broccoli	120	115	100	90	120
Cauliflower (Winter and Spring)	75	50	25	0	150
Cauliflower (Summer and Autumn)	120	85	65	40	120
Carrots	90	70	40	0
Celery	120	85	65	50	180
Courgettes	140	125	105	90
Leeks	150	130	100	80	150
Lettuce	100	90	80	70	50
Onions	70	60	50	40	70
Scallions	90	80	70	60	60
Parsley	100	80	60	40	150
Parsnips	100	85	70	50	70
Peas (Market)	0	0	0	0
Rhubarb	100	90	80	70	200
Spinach	140	125	105	90	100
Swedes (Horticultural)	70	45	25	20	30
Swedes (Transplanted crops)	90	60	30	0

^1Application of these fertilisation rates to an eligible area, must exclude uninhibited urea products in solid form, which are a chemical fertiliser with ureic N content of 1% or above, including those products containing secondary macronutrients (e.g. sulphur) and/or micronutrients (e.g. selenium) and excluding liquid products and those products containing uninhibited urea and phosphorus.

Table 21 Maximum fertilisation rates of phosphorus on vegetable crops

Crop	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index
	1	2	3	4
	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1
Asparagus (Establishment)	65	45	35	20
Asparagus (After harvest)	27	22	15	10
Broad Beans	65	45	35	20
French Beans	65	45	35	20
Beetroot	65	45	35	20
Brussels Sprouts	65	45	35	20
Spring Cabbage	65	45	35	20
Other Cabbage	65	45	35	20
Broccoli	65	45	35	20
Cauliflower (Winter and Spring)	65	45	35	20
Cauliflower (Summer and Autumn)	65	45	35	20
Carrots	65	45	35	20
Celery	88	65	55	28
Courgettes	65	45	35	20
Leeks	65	45	35	20
Lettuce	80	60	40	20
Onions	65	45	35	20
Scallions	65	45	35	20
Parsley	65	45	35	20
Parsnips	65	45	35	20
Peas (Market)	65	45	35	20
Rhubarb	65	45	35	20
Spinach	65	45	35	20
Swedes (Horticultural)	70	60	45	35
Swedes (Transplanted crops)	70	60	45	35

^1The fertilisation rates for soils which have more than 20% organic matter shall not exceed the amounts permitted for phosphorus Index 3 soils.

Table 22 Annual maximum fertilisation rates of nitrogen on fruit/soft fruit crops

	Available Nitrogen (kg/ha)^1
Apples (Dessert)	125
Apples (Culinary)	125
Pears	50
Cherries	70
Plums	70
Blackcurrants	80
Gooseberries	40
Raspberries	60
Strawberries	50
Redcurrants	60
Loganberries	50
Blackberries	50

^1Application of these fertilisation rates to an eligible area, must exclude uninhibited urea products in solid form, which are a chemical fertiliser with ureic N content of 1% or above, including those products containing secondary macronutrients (e.g. sulphur) and/or micronutrients (e.g. selenium) and excluding liquid products and those products containing uninhibited urea and Phosphorus.

Table 23 Annual maximum fertilisation rates of phosphorus on fruit/soft fruit crops

	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index	Phosphorus Index
	1	2	3	4
Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1	Available Phosphorus (kg/ha)^1
Apples (Dessert)	25	16	12	8
Apples(Culinary)	20	12	10	8
Pears	16	8	4	0
Cherries	16	8	4	0
Plums	16	8	4	0
Blackcurrants	20	16	12	8
Gooseberries	20	16	12	8
Raspberries	20	16	12	8
Strawberries	16	8	4	0
Redcurrants	20	16	12	8
Loganberries	20	16	12	8
Blackberries	20	16	12	8

^1The fertilisation rates for soils which have more than 20% organic matter shall not exceed the amounts permitted for Phosphorus Index 3 soils.

SCHEDULE 3

Articles 10, 11, 13 and 16

STORAGE PERIODS FOR LIVESTOCK MANURE

• (a) 16 weeks in relation to holdings in counties Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow,

• (b) 18 weeks in relation to holdings in counties Clare, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath,

• (c) 20 weeks in relation to holdings in counties Donegal and Leitrim, and

• (d) 22 weeks in relation to holdings in counties Cavan and Monaghan.

SCHEDULE 4

Articles 14, 18 and 20

PERIODS WHEN APPLICATION OF FERTILISERS TO LAND IS PROHIBITED

• (a) 15 September to 29 January in the case of the application of chemical fertiliser and not withstanding sub-paragraph (4),

• (b) 1 October to 12 January in the case of the application of organic fertiliser (other than farmyard manure) and not withstanding sub-paragraph (5),

• (c) 1 November to 12 January in the case of the application of farmyard manure.

• (a) 15 September to 29 January in the case of the application of chemical fertiliser and not withstanding sub-paragraph (4),

• (b) 1 October to 15 January in the case of the application of organic fertiliser (other than farmyard manure) and not withstanding sub-paragraph (5),

• (c) 1 November to 15 January in the case of the application of farmyard manure.

• (a) 15 September to 14 February in the case of the application of chemical fertiliser and not withstanding sub-paragraph (4),

• (b) 1 October to 31 January in the case of the application of organic fertiliser (other than farmyard manure) and not withstanding sub-paragraph (5),

• (c) 1 November to 31 January in the case of the application of farmyard manure.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

8 December, 2025.

JAMES BROWNE,

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations, which give effect to Ireland’s Sixth Nitrates Action Programme, provide statutory support for good agricultural practice to protect waters against pollution from agricultural sources and include measures such as

• • periods when land application of fertilisers is prohibited,

• • limits on the land application of fertilisers,

• • storage requirements for livestock manure, and

• • monitoring of the effectiveness of the measures in terms of agricultural practice and impact on water quality.

The Regulations give further effect to several European Directives including Directives in relation to protection of waters against pollution from agricultural sources (“the Nitrates Directive”), dangerous substances in water, waste management, protection of groundwater, public participation in policy development and water policy (the Water Framework Directive).

The Regulations revoke the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, 2022 and other subsequent amending regulations.