Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has announced that the 2025 nitrates derogation applications can now be made through the Agfood system.

He also confirmed that the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) website has opened to facilitate dairy farmers to confirm their herd's nitrate excretion band for 2025.

The closing date for 2025 nitrates derogation applications is Thursday, May 15.

Dairy farmers should also confirm their herd’s dairy cow band for 2025 and, if desired, opt-in to receive recognition for managing crude protein in the concentrates fed to their cows across the year. This is confirmed using the ICBF website.

After May 15, dairy farmers who have not confirmed their herd’s band for 2025 will be defaulted to the highest excretion rate band of 106kg of nitrogen (N)/dairy cow for 2025, until they submit appropriate information to the department to confirm their herd’s band.

“The nitrates derogation gives farmers an opportunity to farm at higher stocking rates, subject to strict conditions that protect the environment and meet the requirements of the Nitrates Directive,” the Minister said.

“I encourage farmers to engage as soon as possible with this application process and to discuss their possible need for a nitrates derogation with their agricultural advisor,” he added.

In addition, Minister Heydon confirmed that cattle nitrogen and phosphorus (N and P) statements, including each holding’s cattle grassland stocking rate for the full year 2024, are now available on Agfood.

A farm’s grassland stocking rate for the previous year determines the farm’s grassland fertiliser allowances and obligations under the Nitrates Action Programme (NAP), including the need to engage in measures such as low emission slurry spreading (LESS), and the need to take soil samples.

The minister said: “Publication of each farmer’s bovine grassland stocking rate for 2024 is a new service by my department, reflecting our commitment to provide the maximum possible information to assist farmer compliance and guide decisions that can impact on water quality.”

Minister Heydon also welcomed the publication by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of its Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator Report for 2024 this week, which shows reduced nitrogen levels last year in a representative sample of Irish rivers.

He said: “The latest EPA report showing improved water quality data is very welcome. There is currently an unprecedented level of collaboration and engagement across the agri-food sector to reduce its impact on water quality.

"These results will provide a real boost for the sector that the hard work is paying off. I am confident we can continue to work together to build on this momentum with a view to driving further improvements and securing a continuation of Ireland’s nitrates derogation post-2025," Minister Heydon added.