Understanding the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme: what you need to know
IAS
Agriculture
Environment
Ireland’s agriculture sector is undergoing significant changes, especially in response to the environmental requirements set by the EU. One of the key schemes driving these changes is the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP), aimed at protecting the nation’s water quality and encouraging sustainable farming practices as part of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 113 of 2022).
The NAP, which runs to the end of this year, sets out specific measures for farmers to manage nutrient pollution, particularly nitrates, which can impact both surface and groundwater.
In this blog, we’ll explore what the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme involves, what farmers must do to comply, and how IAS Laboratories can help.
What is the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme?
The Fifth Nitrates Action Programme is a government-mandated initiative designed to reduce the environmental impact of farming, especially the pollution of water sources caused by agricultural run-off. This programme is applied on a countrywide basis to control nitrogen and phosphorus delivery into the environment. This programme is a key component of Ireland’s efforts to meet EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) targets, focusing on preventing nutrient pollution from fertilisers, manures, and other farm-based activities.
So, not only does the NAP help to monitor and improve water quality, but analysis undertaken to comply with the scheme can help Irish farmers improve nutrient use efficiency (NUE) for optimal crop production whilst protecting the environment.
Key objectives of the NAP include:
- Protecting water quality: by controlling nitrate and phosphorus levels in waterbodies.
- Reducing nutrient runoff: reducing the impact of agricultural practices that contribute to nutrient leaching into surface waters and groundwater.
- Enforcing compliance with EU regulations: ensuring Ireland remains in line with EU environmental standards.
The Water Action Plan 2024, introduced by the Irish government, further strengthens these efforts. With a €1.8 billion investment, this plan focuses on improving over 800 waterbodies by 2027, targeting pollution from agricultural sources and enhancing wastewater infrastructure.
An interim review of the NAP was conducted in 2023, leading to the introduction of additional regulatory measures. These measures were enacted through S.I. No. 42 of 2025, which came into effect on February 25, 2025. The additional measures include adjustments to stocking rates, chemical fertiliser allowances, and other practices to further enhance water protection efforts.
What must I do to comply with the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme?
Farmers are required to comply with the NAP, including any updates from the interim review, to ensure the protection of water bodies from nutrient pollution.
Key actions
1. Nutrient management and fertiliser use
Farmers must adopt more precise nutrient management practices. This involves:
- Soil testing to determine the optimal levels of nutrients required for crops. This involves only applying fertilisers and other inputs when necessary and in the correct amounts. This also helps with Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE)—if farmers understand their nutrient levels, they could save money on unnecessary inputs and reduce the risk of runoff.
- Soil tests are compulsory for holdings above 170kg/ha in 2022, and for holdings above 130kg/ha and for sown arable land in 2023.
- All soils greater than 20% organic matter are required to test for organic matter.
- Phased reduction in the use of nitrogen-based fertilisers to again lower the risk of nutrient leaching into waterbodies. Farmers must adhere to specific limits on nitrogen application rates, depending on soil type, crop type, and farm zone. Additional restrictions apply in nitrate-vulnerable zones (areas where water bodies are at higher risk of contamination).
- Adhering to closed periods for fertiliser application to reduce the risk of nutrient run-off in wet weather and reduced crop uptake.
- There is a requirement for a 10% reduction of chemical nitrogen applied nationally. This may be increased after a review.
- This reduction applies across all stocking rates from 2022.
- Managing slurry effectively to prevent leaching and ammonia emissions, including:
- Ensuring adequate slurry storage during closed periods.
- Using Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) techniques when spreading slurry.
- Maintaining green cover to prevent soil erosion and nutrient run-off during vulnerable periods. Further measures will be introduced in the coming months to help reduce the loss of feeding areas for birds.
Additional measures that are not regulatory—and therefore not compulsory—have also been introduced to help improve water quality in agriculture.
For example, the “Better Farming for Water” campaign, led by Teagasc, aims to support and accelerate the adoption of sustainable actions on farms to improve all water bodies to either “Good” or “High” ecological status. Its objective is to “support all farmers to reduce the loads of nitrogen, phosphate, sediment and pesticides entering our river network through either diffuse or point source pathways from agricultural sources”. This will be achieved through the 8 Actions for Change, which involves better nutrient, farmyard, and land management instructions for farms, such as improved fertiliser application plans and targeted mitigation actions.
For more information on these additional measures, including the 8 Actions for Change, read the PDF here.
2. Regular monitoring and farm inspections
The number of government inspections have now increased to help ensure compliance with the NAP. Farmers are therefore required to keep detailed records of their nutrient management practices, including:
- Undertaking environmental assessments with soil and water analysis. This will help ensure soil and water quality are not compromised by farming activities.
- NB the level of compliance with regulations varies from county to county, and the government is currently implementing a National Agricultural Inspection Programme for local authorities.
- Keeping up-to-date records of:
- Planned fertiliser and manure application rates and timings in place and submitted before the 31st Jan (keep for 12 months).
- Soil and water testing results.
- Livestock numbers and movements.
- Crude protein in concentrate feeds: a maximum crude protein content of 15% is allowed in concentrate feedstuff fed to grazing livestock between 15th April and 30th
3. Waterbody protection measures
Farmers are required to implement measures to prevent run-off from reaching nearby water sources. This could include:
- Improving drainage systems in fields to minimise the risk of surface water contamination.
- Creating buffer areas near rivers and lakes to filter potential pollutants before they reach waterbodies.
4. Stocking density limits
There are strict limits on the number of livestock that can be kept per hectare (170kg organic nitrogen per hectare), with adjustments allowed under specific derogations.
- There are three new excretion rate bands. This means that, to remain below the maximum permitted organic nitrogen loads of 250kg/ha in derogation, there must be a reduced stocking rate per hectare.
- As of 1st January 2024, in areas identified by the EPA as needing nitrate reductions, the maximum stocking rate under derogation has been reduced to 220 kg N/ha.
- From December 1, 2025, additional areas will have a reduced limit of 247.5 kg N/ha.
How analysis can help you comply with the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme
These obligations are likely to drive a substantial increase in environmental monitoring and laboratory analysis that farmers must undertake.
For example:
- Enhanced monitoring requirements: with the government targeting a significant number of waterbodies for quality improvement and increasing the number of farm inspections, there will be a need for more frequent water and soil tests.
- Compliance and enforcement: as enforcement becomes more stringent, farmers and agricultural businesses will need to conduct regular environmental assessments to adhere to the new regulations.
- Infrastructure investments: the funding allocated for water infrastructure improvements will also involve monitoring to assess the efficacy of these investments, contributing to increased demand for laboratory analysis services.
How IAS can help you meet the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme requirements
Navigating these regulations can be challenging. IAS Laboratories provides many of the services you need to meet your NAP obligations.
We are INAB accredited to perform a comprehensive range of water and wastewater tests. These analyses help monitor nitrate and phosphorus levels, suspended solids, and microbiological contaminants in water sources and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. We also offer a professional water sampling service to make the process easy and efficient.
We also perform fast, reliable, and comprehensive soil analysis services to help you determine nutrient levels and how much fertiliser you need to apply. We use our extensive knowledge and expertise to help farmers navigate the soil testing process. From sample collection to interpreting results, we ensure that you receive accurate and actionable data to help you comply with the NAP.
We make the whole process easy for you:
- We provide a free sampling kit containing everything you need for analysis including sample bags, a delivery envelope, an analysis request form, and full instructions on taking and sending samples.
- Results are reported 10 working days from the time of registration, in an easy-to-understand visual format so nutrient adequacy can be determined quickly.
Contact us or speak to your advisor direct to receive your free sampling kits today.
References
https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/an-overview-of-irelands-fifth-nitrates-action-programme.pdf
https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2025/dafm-confirms-changes-to-nitrates-regulations-.php