Nitrates

The Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) (Council Directive of 12 December 1991, concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources) was adopted in 1991. Its objective is to reduce water pollution caused or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources and to prevent further pollution. The primary emphasis is on the management of livestock manures and other fertilizers.

Agriculture is the largest source of inputs to Irish waters of phosphorus and nitrogen, contributing an estimated 73% and 82%, respectively. An EPA report titled Water Quality in Ireland, 1998-2000 indicated that elevated nitrate levels are recorded in approximately 20% of well-sampling stations nationally. High ammonia values were found in ground waters across eight counties. In County Cork, up to 50 public water supplies have elevated nitrate levels (>25mg NO3/l), while a number of rivers also show elevated NO3 levels. Some estuaries are showing symptoms of eutrophication.

On 29 May 2003, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government devised regulations that formally identified the national territory of Ireland as the area to which an action programme under the Nitrates Directive will be applied.

Nitrates Regulations

The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006, (S.I. No. 378 of 2006), were signed into law by Minister for Environment, Mr. Dick Roche on 18 th July 2006. These Regulations give legal effect to Ireland 's national Nitrates Action Programme under the EU Nitrates Directive.  

The Regulations will come into effect on a phased basis from 1 August 2006. A full copy of the regulations can be accessed on the Department of Environment Heritage & Local Government website at www.environ.ie, or a copy can be obtained from the Government Publications Office.

A guide to the measures which farmers must comply with under the regulations is available at "Summary of the Nitrate Regulations  "Summary of the Nitrate Regulations". This is for general guidance only please consult the regulations for full details.