Nutrients Action Programme 2019-2022

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The Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) aims to improve water quality by protecting water against pollution caused by nitrates from agriculture sources. In particular, it is about promoting better management of animal manures, chemical nitrogen fertilisers and other nitrogen-containing materials spread onto the land.

Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) 2019-2022

On 11 April 2019 the new  Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) Regulations were made for the period 2019-2022.  The new Regulations replace the Nitrates Action Programme and Phosphorus Regulations 2015-2018.  The NAP Regulations apply to all agriculture land in Northern Ireland.

Compliance with the NAP is one of the Cross Compliance Statutory Management Requirements.  Therefore, farmers claiming Basic Payment Scheme and other direct payments are required to comply with the NAP Regulations.  The measures relating to the Phosphorus Regulations are now included in the new NAP.  This means that the  Cross Compliance Verifiable Standards will now also apply to the land application of chemical phosphorus.

Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) Derogation 2019-2022

In 2019 Northern Ireland was successful in applying to the European Commission to renewal a Derogation from the Nitrates Directive permitting the land application of up to 250kg N per hectare per year from grazing livestock manure under certain conditions.  This Derogation, for the period 2019 to 2022, is also implemented through the NAP Regulations.

 

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