More than 300 less farmers applied for a nitrates derogation this year compared to the number that applied in 2025.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed to Agriland that 6,797 farmers applied for a nitrates derogation by the closing date of last Friday (May 15).

This compares to a figure of 7,135 applications that were received for the derogation in 2025.

This equates to a decrease in applications of 338.

By applying for a nitrates derogation, a herd owner is applying for permission to apply livestock manure nitrogen at a level in excess of 170kg of Nitrogen per hectare (N/ha).

The derogation allows 220kg N/ha to be applied in the vast majority of the country.

After much uncertainty, the European Commission agreed late last year to extend Ireland's nitrates derogation under the EU Nitrates Directive for a further three years.

According to the European Commission, the nitrates derogation is "subject to additional conditions, including the evaluation of environmental impacts".

Ireland has had a derogation under the Nitrates Directive since 2007.

The derogation confirmed in December comes with added layer of complexity this time around, as Ireland will need to demonstrate that approved derogations comply with the EU Habitats Directive.

Announcing the opening of derogation applications in March, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said: "Opening the 2026 nitrates derogation is a significant milestone for me as Minister for Agriculture, having secured a three-year extension to the derogation towards the end of last year.

The minister said that the department wrote to all dairy farmers to remind them of changes introduced under the sixth and current Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) regarding the milking platform measure and increases in slurry and soiled water storage requirements from October 1, 2028.

Last Friday was also the deadline for farmers to confirm their excretion bands for 2026.

Those farmers who have not yet done so will be defaulted to the highest excretion band of 106kg of nitrogen per dairy cow for 2026, until they submit the required information to the department.