Ensure slurry export forms are submitted

Any farm exporting slurry, chicken litter or manure to another farm must submit this information to NIEA by the end of January.

Under the Nitrates Action Programme for Northern Ireland farmers must be able to show they meet the 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare limit over a year. This is effectively a stocking limit and while in Northern Ireland over 90% of farms are working under this limit, those that are over the 170kgN/ha/year must take action to ensure cross compliance penalties are avoided.

If a farm’s livestock manure limit is above 170kg/ha/year in order to comply a farm can;

Apply for a Nitrates Derogation to operate at up to 250kgN/ha/year (grazing livestock only). Application forms must be submitted to NIEA on or before 1 March and additional requirements met; or

Farm more eligible land (must be on SAF); or

Reduce livestock numbers; or

Export slurry / litter / manure – a record of this must be submitted to NIEA by 31 January

Records of exports of all organic manures must be recorded and following a new requirement introduced in 2016, these records must be submitted to NIEA by 31 January for the previous calendar year. That is, records for 1 January to 31 December 2016 must be submitted by 31 January 2017.

Records sent to NIEA must cover the date moved, type of livestock manure, quantity (tonnes or cubic metres), the transporter’s name and address, and the importer’s name and business ID.  If a business ID is not available, an address and signature must be included.

If the records are not submitted the slurry export will not be included when calculating a farm’s nitrogen loading and penalties could be applied. A template form is available on the DAERA website. It is accepted by Government officials that organic manures will have to move between farms to ensure compliance therefore farmers importing slurry, chicken litter or manures should not be concerned about supplying their details to the farm exporting assuming they are meeting the 170kgN/ha/year limit.

DAERA have calculated approximate eligible land requirements to meet the 170kgN/ha/year for some livestock types. For each dairy cow place DAERA estimate that approximately 1.61 acres is required, a sucker cow place and calf place (up to 1 year) requires around 1.19 acres, one ewe and lamb 0.15 acres, 1000 laying hens require around 9.1 acres, 1000 broilers 0.59 acres and a sow place approximately 1.01acres. These figures may vary according to replacement rates and performance but will give farmers a rough idea of their requirements.

For those farmers who have to submit records to NIEA the UFU would advise farmers that they start ensuring that they have all the necessary information as soon as possible and to not leave this too close to the deadline.

UFU staff are available to carry out more detailed calculations too assist members.

Completed forms should be sent to Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Water Management Unit, 17 Antrim Road, Tonagh, Lisburn, Co Antrim, BT28 3AL. If forms are being delivered, receipts can only be issued during working hours.