This article is from page 59 of the 2007-09-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 59 JPG
CLARE farmer have been granted two extra weeks to complete their applications for derogation’s under the new Nitrates Regulations. The deadline for a derogation for the con- troversial regulations was announced by Minister for Agriculture, Mary eee Mice
The deadline has been extended from it’s original date this Friday, September 28 until October 12.
“The availability of the derogation is very important for our intensive grassland farmers, particularly those in the dairying sector,’ she said.
“Grassland farms that apply for a derogation and meet the conditions
will be permitted to exceed the 170 kg of organic manure per hectare limit, up to a maximum of 250 kg per hectare.
“This extension to October 12 is in response to concerns raised by some farmers who felt that the original deadline of September 28 did not allow them adequate time to con- sider their position and decide if they needed to apply for a derogation in the current year.”
The European Communities Regu- lations 2006 legally oblige herdown- ers to limit the amount of nitrogen from livestock manure that is applied, including that which is deposited di- rectly by the animals themselves, on individual farms to no more than 170
kgs Nitrogen per hectare per year.
The Nitrates Derogation allows in- dividual farms to operate above this statutory livestock manure limit, up to a maximum limit of 250 kgs Ni- trogen per hectare per year, subject to specific conditions.
‘To further assist farmers, my de- partment is now arranging to provide 2007 Nitrogen and Phosphorus State- ments covering the period January | to August 31, 2007,” she said.
“Farmers will need to estimate the quantities of nitrogen likely to be produced by their livestock from September | to the end of the year to get an indication of what their overall stocking rate will be for 2007.”
Farmers who apply for a derogation
will not require a Fertiliser Plan in respect of 2007, although this will be a requirement from next year. For 2007, farmers will only need to complete the Record One as de- tailed the Explanatory Handbook for Good Agricultural Practice Regula- tions published by the department in 2006. This record should be kept on the holding.
Minister Coughlan also advised farmers that they should assess their 2007 situation as soon as possible, and if necessary make application for a derogation before the deadline of October 12.
Application forms and information packs are available on www.agricul- ture.gov.ie.