NVZ Compliance Check

In Northern Ireland, yes — the Nutrients Action Programme applies to every farm in the region. In England, the rules apply to land inside a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone; you can check your land on the gov.uk NVZ designation maps.

The total nitrogen in livestock manure applied to the farm — by grazing animals and by spreading — must not exceed 170 kg N per hectare per year, averaged over the farm’s agricultural area. Manufactured fertiliser is controlled separately through crop need and closed periods.

In Northern Ireland, at least 22 weeks, or 26 weeks for pig and poultry enterprises. In England’s NVZs, enough for 1 October to 1 March (5 months), or 1 October to 1 April (6 months) for pigs and poultry. Both must also hold the rainfall and washings that enter the store over that period.

Grassland farms (at least 80% grass) granted a derogation may go up to 250 kg N/ha from grazing livestock manure, as long as they meet extra conditions such as a fertilisation plan, soil sampling and limits on phosphorus. In Northern Ireland it is applied for each year between 1 January and 1 March; in England in the autumn for the following year.

In Northern Ireland, slurry, poultry litter and digestate cannot be spread from 15 October to 31 January, and farmyard manure from 31 October to 31 January. In England, the closed period for slurry and poultry manure on grassland is 15 October to 31 January (1 September to 31 December on sandy or shallow soils), and on tillage land 1 October to 31 January (1 August to 31 December on sandy or shallow soils).

It is a breach of the regulations and can lead to enforcement action — and in Northern Ireland, penalties on farm support payments under the Farm Sustainability Standards. The usual fixes are exporting manure under a recorded agreement, taking on more land, adding or covering storage, or changing stock numbers. A nutrient management plan sets out how you will stay within the rules.