Written answers
Wednesday, 26 January 2022
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Agriculture Industry
Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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206. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reduce the use of inorganic nitrogen on farms here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3668/22]
Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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207. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reductions in the use of inorganic nitrogen that will take place as a result of measures within the Common Agriculture Policy, within the nitrates action plan and within other named regulations or initiatives in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3669/22]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together.
Food Vision 2030 sets out the 2030 vision for Ireland’s Agri-Food Sector. It includes targets in relation to inorganic fertiliser including ‘emissions associated with chemical fertiliser use to reduce by more than 50% by 2030.’
Table 1: Measures that will contribute to reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen
| Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) – increased requirements/requirements becoming applicable to more farmers – the following list is some of the measures proposed in the new NAP | Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) to improve nutrient use efficiency as well as reducing emissions |
|---|---|
| Incorporation of Clover for derogation farmers to reduce reliance on inorganic nitrogen | |
| Soil Sampling and liming to improve nutrient use efficiency | |
| Slurry storage and timing of application to optimise the value of nutrients | |
| 10% reduction in chemical fertiliser allowances in 2022 | |
| Interim review of new NAP in 2023 with further measures then applicable if necessary | |
| CAP Strategic Plan | Enhanced Conditionality requirements including requirements stemming from NAP Review. |
| Eco Scheme – optional practices include: - Increased space for nature - Limiting chemical nitrogen usage - Use of a GPS-controlled fertiliser spreader - Soil Sampling and soil pH correction - Planting of break crops - Sowing of a multi-species sward | |
| AECM – optional practices include: - Low input grassland - Minimum/no tillage - Catch crops - Environmental management of fallow land | |
| Organic Farming Scheme – target to increase area under organic farming from 2% to 7.5% by 2027 | |
| Protein Aid Scheme - to support production of 14,000 ha protein crops in 2023 rising to 20,000 ha by 2027 | |
| Capital Investment Scheme – to reduce nutrient losses and improve nutrient use efficiency by supporting capital investments in nutrient storage, LESS equipment and precision farming equipment | |
| Other Initiatives | Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) – working with farmers in a free and confidential advisory service to improve water quality in priority areas |
| National Soil Sampling Programme under the Rural Development Plan to provide a national soil fertility baseline and improve nutrient use efficiency |
The strategy also commits “to reduce nutrient losses from agriculture to water by 50% by 2030’. In addition, it includes implementing the Ag Climatise Roadmap target of reducing chemical nitrogen fertiliser use to 325,000 tonnes by 2030.
These targets will be achieved through a combination of:
1. Regulation through measures in the proposed Nitrates Action Programme (NAP).
2. Incentivisation through voluntary measures under the proposed CAP Strategic Plan.
3. Industry incentives and supports such as the ASSAP programme and changes to fertiliser type.
The application of fertilisers to land is regulated by the Nitrates Regulations (SI 605 of 2017, as amended). The current NAP has been extended until March 2022. A new draft NAP has been published which includes a measure to reduce inorganic nitrogen allowances by 10%.
A chemical fertiliser register will be introduced from January 2023 to support compliance also. Commencing in 2023 an interim review of the NAP will focus on scientific advice and water quality trends which may lead to further measures to limit inorganic nitrogen use, dependant on progress being made.
The draft CAP Strategic Plan, which was submitted to the European Commission at the end of December 2021, includes several measures to reduce inorganic nitrogen use. These are summarised in table 1 attached.
It should be borne in mind that the measures within the draft NAP and the CAP Strategic Plan are proposed measures. They have not yet been approved by the European Commission.
Ongoing initiatives that will also contribute to a reduction in inorganic nitrogen use include the National Soil Sampling Programme under the Rural Development Plan and the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP).
A reduction in the use of chemical nitrogen will arise from a combination of the above actions coupled with industry initiatives.
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