Consultants believe a 10% reduction in the maximum chemical nitrogen (N) allowance for farms stocked above 170kg N/ha is required instead of the 5% reduction previously proposed by the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group.

It is understood that the group, which is made up of representatives from key stakeholders within the farming and agri-sector including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), has been asked for their views on this.

The proposed reduction is just one of a number of measures that are currently under discussion in relation to water quality against the backdrop of DAFM's Nitrates Derogation Renewal Plan.

As part of this plan and following the conclusion of the Nitrates Action Plan (NAP) review, DAFM confirmed back in August that "further agreed measures" would come into effect.

As part of the 'appropriate assessment process' in relation to the additional measures proposed for inclusion under the fifth NAP, proposed dates for two key actions have now been put before the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group and these include:

The prohibition on the use of unprotected urea would apply from September 15, 2025;
For additional areas moving to a maximum derogation limit of 220kg N/ha this would apply from December 1, 2025.

In addition to this, consultants, who are currently working on the Natura Impact Statement (NIS) - which is prepared at stage two of the appropriate assessment (AA) process - have suggested that to achieve "improved water quality", measures that have already been proposed "need to be strengthened" to "pass the appropriate assessment process".

These consultants have suggested that "a 10% reduction in the maximum chemical nitrogen allowance for farms stocked above 170kg N/ha is required instead of the 5% reduction previously proposed".

It is understood that the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group, which is chaired by John Comer, who is a past president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA), has agreed to the proposed date in relation to the "prohibition on unprotected urea".

The group, however, has suggested that protected urea should be available for farmers to buy in in 50kg bags.

They have also signalled that they will support the proposed date of December 1, 2025 for additional areas moving to the lower derogation stocking rate limit of 220kg N/ha.

However it is believed that overall the working group is not in favour of the proposed 10% reduction in N allowances as many of the members have questioned what impact this would have in terms of improving water quality.

Some of the working group have called for a closer examination of how nutrient surplus might be a better approach to "target source load reductions".