The 2026 Nitrates Derogation applications are now open and can be completed via the Agfood portal. “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. In addition, nitrogen and phosphorus statements, detailing each holding’s bovine grassland stocking rate for 2025, are available on the department’s online Agfood system. The previous year’s stocking rate determines each farm’s grassland fertiliser allowance as set out in the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations (S.I. The minister also confirmed that the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) website has opened to facilitate dairy farmers to confirm their dairy band for 2026.

Source: Irish Examiner April 01, 2026 14:51 UTC