Water Quality Review Implementation Map for 2024 where maximum stocking rate of 220 kg livestock manure nitrogen per hectare applies for nitrates derogation holdings in these areas for 2024, combined with additional areas, where the stocking rate limit of 220 kg livestock manure nitrogen per hectare will apply for nitrates derogation holdings in these areas with effect from December 2025. This means for 2025, derogation farmers in these additional areas will have a limit of 247.5 rather than 250kg livestock manure nitrogen per hectare in 2025.
The additional areas are the outcome of the 5th Nitrates Action Programme review, introduced as an amendment (SI No 42 of 2025) to the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations (SI No 113 of 2022, as amended). These areas are where the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) have identified a need for nitrate reduction measures as a priority to improve water but that were not considered under the European Commission’s criteria for the two-year review of water quality that took place in 2023, i.e. areas that are not within the Water Quality Review Implementation Map for 2024.
