Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Environment
Period
1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025
Specific Details
Nitrates Action Plan
Intended results
To express grave concerns on recommendations on the timing of nutrient application for arable crops.
To highlight that poultry manure is a valuable organic fertiliser with a high nutrient value which tillage farmers value utilising on their crops. Furthermore, storage capacity on poultry farms is limited or in the case of broiler litter, unavailable
To question what alternative means of storage do the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine suggest utilising to manage these nutrients appropriately as broiler litter is not stored on-farm as it can pose high biosecurity risks to the farm. If restrictions are imposed that prevent timely land application,
To stress that extended onsite storage of poultry litter also increases the risk of biosecurity breaches. Manure heaps can attract pests such as flies, rodents, and wild birds, all of which act as potential vectors for disease, including avian influenza.
To highlight that a particular concern is the heightened risk of Clostridium botulinum developing in stored manure under warm, anaerobic conditions. Botulism presents a grave threat not only to poultry flocks, where outbreaks can cause rapid and high mortality, but also to cattle, which are highly susceptible to the disease which is why rapid incorporation is so critical.
That the proposed restrictions on the timing of nutrient application to arable land raise significant concerns, particularly regarding unintended consequences for animal health, biosecurity, and the sustainable management of organic manures.
To highlight that the tillage sector is also of significant importance to the pig sector and collaboration is growing year by year with Irish pig farmers partnering with Irish grain producers to utilise their crops in turn for supply of their pig nutrients.
To stress that the Food Vision Tillage Report published in May 2024 specifically seeks to increase and promote the transfer of organic manures from the livestock sector to tillage land.
That delaying manure application until narrow "permitted" windows may lead to the sudden spreading of large volumes in a short window. The size and weight of manure application equipment means that spring application may simply not be possible in some seasons, for instance in March/April 2023 and 2024. Consideration must be prioritised for appropriate climatic conditions rather than specific narrow timeframes.
That while IFA is fully supportive of improving water quality, we strongly believe that any proposal for a blanket ban, or the phased introduction of such a ban, on the spreading of organic manures with high nitrogen content or availability in the post-harvest period is a draconian measure that fails to consider its unintended consequences.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Nigel Sweetnam IFA Poultry Chair, Kieran McEvoy IFA Grain Chair, Michael Caffrey IFA Pigs Chair, John Lynskey IFA Mayo County Chair
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Informal communication (2-5)
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Adrian Forkan
Councillor (Mayo County Council)
Al McDonnell
Councillor (Mayo County Council)
Barry Cassidy
Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Blackie Gavin
Councillor (Mayo County Council)
Cyril Burke
Councillor (Mayo County Council)
Donna Sheridan
Councillor (Mayo County Council)
Ger Deere
Councillor (Mayo County Council)
Gerry Murray
Councillor (Mayo County Council)
Harry Barrett
Councillor (Mayo County Council)
John Caulfield
Councillor (Mayo County Council)
Martin Heydon
Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Michael Kilcoyne
Councillor (Mayo County Council)
Neil Cruise
Councillor (Mayo County Council)
Robert O'Donoghue
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Victor Boyhan
Senator (Seanad)