Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Each bag of fertiliser is required by law to state the fertiliser’s type - whether it is nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium - and the product and minimum content of nutrients, along with their forms and solubility. Indeed, the nutrient content of chemical fertiliser is the main determinant of its price and value to the farmer, with phosphorus being the most expensive nutrient of the three.

To protect water quality, the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2005, or, as they are commonly known, the GAP regulations, set limits regarding the application of certain nutrients, including phosphorus, to agricultural soils. I want to be clear on this point, as I understand there has been some misinformation regarding changes to phosphorous allowances that is causing concern to farmers. Phosphorus limits set out in the GAP regulations have not changed. However, the requirement to have soil samples to inform phosphorous application was extended to more farmers in January 2023. Following finalisation of the current nitrates action programme and introduction of the current GAP regulations, this change was communicated to farmers and advisers through various means in 2022 and again in 2023.

Exceeding fertilisation limits for agricultural soils represents a waste of a farmer’s money through incurring inappropriate and unnecessary costs. In addition, it represents a breach of the GAP regulations and puts the future of our agrifood sector at risk as well due to the risks it presents to Irish water quality.

In the case of direct payment applicants, a breach of the GAP regulations may lead to a sanction being applied to the farmer's CAP payments as appropriate. The scale of the sanction will be determined by the extent and severity of the breach. If a farmer is seeking to avail of a nitrates derogation, such a breach of their phosphorous limit would result in their application for the derogation being rejected and the farmer being deemed ineligible to avail of a nitrates derogation in the following year.

To reduce the risk of the loss of nutrients to water and to maximise economic sustainability, farmers purchasing fertiliser should only buy products that meet their soil's and crops' nutritional requirements. These purchasing decisions should be informed by soil analysis and, where appropriate, engagement of a farm advisory system-accredited agricultural adviser as well.

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