Changes to nitrates regulations that you need to be aware of

In this article, Louise Clarke, Teagasc Pig Development Officer, details changes to the nitrates regulations that may affect pig producers or those importing pig manure.

It is important that you make yourself aware of the updates to the EU Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations, often referred to as the ‘nitrates regulations'.

The most recently updated Statutory Instrument (SI 113 of 2022) came into effect on the 11^th of March 2022. The changes are important in calculating the volume of pig slurry or any organic manure that a farmer may use on their farm. Some of the relevant changes are outlined below:

1). Limit of 170kg organic nitrogen per hectare

The limit of 170kg of organic nitrogen (N) per hectare still applies to all farms that import organic fertilisers such as pig manure. The amount considered to be applied to commonage shall not exceed 50kg of N per hectare. Now the calculation is based on not exceeding 170kg of organic N per hectare in the current year.

2). Earlier closing date for the spreading of slurry

Article 8 (6) states that all slurry must be applied by the 1^st of October from 2023 onwards.

3). New soil testing requirements

• From the 1^st of January 2023, all farms with a grassland stocking rate above 130kg N/ha and all arable land must complete soil tests for Phosphorus (P). Without a completed soil test, a soil P index 4 is assumed. Parcels with Soil P index 4 cannot accept any organic manure applications (except if potatoes, beet or maize are being grown).
• If the stocking rate is less than 130kg N/ha and no soil test is done, you must use a soil P index of 3.
• Soils with more than 20% organic matter (often referred to as ‘peaty soils’) shall not exceed the P allowance for Index 3 soils.
• Only parcels that are shown to be Index 1-3 are eligible to import organic manure.
• Soil tests must be completed at least once every four years, with a max area per soil test of 4ha (9.9ac).
• This change is very important for any farmer wishing to use pig manure.

4). Low emission slurry spreading

Article 18 (1) (b) (v) requires low emission slurry spreading to be used for the application of the slurry produced by pigs on any holding from the 1^st of January 2023.

• Low emission slurry spreading (LESS) must be used for the application of slurry produced solely by pigs on any holding.
• It is the importing farmers’ responsibility to accept the importation of organic manure onto their holding on their agfood.ie portal once it has been uploaded by the exporting farmer.
• The closing date this year for slurry application is the 1^st of October 2023.

5). Soils with a P index of 1 or 2

The availability of P in organic manures such as pig slurry is deemed to be 100% available at soil P Index of 3 or 4. If a soil is Index 1 or 2 (see Table 1), the availability of the P from organic fertilisers is 50%. The farmer can verify that the soil is Index 1 or 2 by soil sampling his/her farm. If a famer does not soil test, please refer to the points highlighted in section 3 above – ‘new soil testing requirements’.

Table 1: Phosphorous index system remains as follows

*Reference SI 113 of 2022

This article first appeared in the August Pigs Advisory Newsletter.