Further Consultations in relation to the Draft Sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) are now open
- Published on: 31 October 2025
- Last updated on: 31 October 2025
The consultation on the SEA Environmental Report and the draft Programme has been published and will run to 1 December
A separate, independent consultation process on the Natura Impact Statement by the Ecological Assessment Unit (EAU) of the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been published and will also run to 1 December
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report in relation to the Draft Sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) has been published and is now open to consultation from the public.
The key focus of Ireland’s NAP is to protect water quality from the impact of agricultural nutrients as required under the Nitrates Directive. The draft Sixth NAP was published online on 28th October 2025 for public consultation. The associated Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report, was published today for a 28 day consultation period.
Through this public consultation, the broader public and any other interested parties may take the opportunity to now provide their views on the SEA.
The Nitrates Directive sets a limit of 170 kg/ha for the application of livestock manure nitrogen to land, however it allows for a higher rate to be applied, subject to certain stricter environmental conditions, and this is commonly known as the nitrates derogation. Ireland has been granted a derogation in all five NAPs to date and has again requested a renewal of the derogation under the Sixth NAP. If successful, the derogation will be incorporated into the Programme.
The SEA Environmental Report and the draft Programme have been published on the government website at https://www.gov.ie/en/consultations/. The consultation process will run to 1 December.
Natura Impact Statement by the Ecological Assessment Unit (EAU) of the National Parks and Wildlife Service
A separate, independent consultation process is being undertaken concurrently regarding the Natura Impact Statement by the Ecological Assessment Unit (EAU) of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The Natura Impact statement relates to the draft Sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) and has been published for consultation.
This consultation is available on https://www.gov.ie/en/consultations/. The consultation process will run to 1 December
ENDS
Note to Editor:
The European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, otherwise known as the GAP or Nitrates Regulations, implement the regulatory elements of the NAP and are subject to review every 4 years, in line with each NAP, with the current review to be concluded by the start of 2026. It is important for all stakeholders to contribute to this important review.
The NAP contains specific measures to protect against nutrient pollution arising from agricultural sources. These measures include measures to address nutrient balance at farm level, improved nutrient distribution on fragmented farms, increased slurry and soiled water storage requirements, expansion of DAFM’s organic nutrient movement database, and a continued focus on compliance and enforcement.
The closing date for receipt of responses for both consultations is the 1st of December 2025. The relevant consultation documents are available for download from the Government website https://www.gov.ie/en/consultations/
Natura Impact Consultation: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/consultations/public-consultation-on-the-natura-impact-statement-of-the-draft-sixth-nitrates-action-programme-2026-2029/