Farmers who believe they’ll exceed the Nitrogen Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) livestock manure “loading limit” can apply to Defra, from October 1, to raise their maximum loading.
“Grassland farmers who will exceed the NVZ livestock manure “loading limit” of 170kg N/ha can apply to Defra in order to increase the limit up to a maximum of 250 kg N/ha,” said the National Farmers Union.
The union also pointed out that the derogation process is an annual requirement with the 2015 application window opening on October 1 and closing on December 31.
Key derogation requirements include:
- farm located in an NVZ,
- 80% of the agricultural area of the farm in grass,
- 250 kg N/ha limit from grazing livestock and 170 kg N/ha from non-grazing livestock farm limits must be met,
- must be applied for annually (for the next year),
- extra record keeping requirements.