The Nitrates Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

Measures governing the limits on land application of nitrogen fertiliser to land other than grassland

10.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), in relation to a holding the quantity of nitrogen fertiliser added to land other than grassland both by land application and by the animals themselves each year shall not exceed the crop requirements for nitrogen calculated in accordance with paragraphs (4) to (8).

(2) The amount of nitrogen fertiliser applied to land other than grassland both by land application and by the animals themselves shall not exceed the recommendations contained in the fertiliser technical standards.

(3) The amount of total nitrogen in livestock manure applied to the agricultural area of the holding, both by land application and by the animals themselves, shall not exceed 170kg N/ha/year when calculated in accordance with paragraphs (4) and (5).

(4) The total nitrogen from livestock manure from animals kept on the holding will be calculated in accordance with Schedule 1 Table 1.

(5) The total nitrogen from imported livestock manures will be calculated in accordance with Schedule 1 Table 2 for slurry and Schedule1 Table 3 for solid livestock manures.

(6) The total nitrogen content per tonne of other organic manures, excluding livestock manure, shall be as declared in accordance with the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 and any amending Regulations.

(7) The amount of nitrogen available to a crop from livestock manures or chemical fertiliser in the year of application of that fertiliser is the percentage specified in Schedule 1 Table 6.

(8) Except in the case of livestock manure, the amount of nitrogen available to a crop from organic manure in the year of its application is the percentage specified in Schedule 1 Table 6, in relation to cattle and other livestock manure.

(9) Any controller wishing to deviate from the values set out in Schedule 1 Tables 1, 2 or 3 must present a scientific case in order to obtain prior approval from the Department, and the Department shall only grant such approval where it is satisfied that a scientific case has been established.

(10) A controller may appeal the decision by the Department in paragraph (9) in accordance with the procedure set out in regulation 23.