The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that 149 farmers have so far been "rejected" from the 2025 nitrates derogation scheme.

This is because they failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the scheme.

But according to DAFM the rejection figure could ultimately be higher because it is still finalising some derogation checks for 2025.

A spokesperson told Agriland: "A definitive figure regarding the number of farmers rejected as a result of non-compliance with the 2025 nitrates derogation scheme terms and conditions is not yet available".

Under the terms of the 2025 scheme the nitrates derogation allows farmers to exceed the normal limit of 170kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare set down in the nitrates regulations - up to a maximum of 220kg or 250kg/ha - subject to adherence to stricter rules.

In all cases commonage land can only qualify for a maximum allowance of 50kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare.

According to DAFM any farmer seeking a nitrates derogation must ensure "all terms and conditions for the derogation must be adhered to".

In 2025 it advised that the measures all farmers should take to avoid exceeding the nitrates limit for their holding included;

Managing livestock numbers;
Renting/leasing/purchasing additional land;
Exporting organic nutrients and declaring the movement online within four days

Nitrates derogation

A total of 7,135 farmers applied for the 2025 nitrates derogation according to DAFM.

The majority of applicants were based in Co. Cork with 2,115, with counties Tipperary, at 911, and Kilkenny, at 547 next on the list.

The fewest applications for a nitrates derogation came from counties Sligo (13), Roscommon (15), and Longford (26).

According to the department there were a number of "common non-compliances" which farmers fell foul of in relation to their application for a 2025 nitrates derogation these included:

Exceeding nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) allowances, or both;
Inadequate slurry storage facilities;
Inadequate pollution control facilities;
Watercourses not adequately fenced;
Not ensuring drinking points were 20m from watercourses.