Sixth Nitrates Action Programme

The government has published Ireland’s Sixth Nitrates Action Programme, which builds on the suite of measures introduced in the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme, as well as introducing a mix of new regulatory and non-regulatory measures.

Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme is given effect by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2026. The regulations contain specific measures to protect surface waters and groundwater from nutrient pollution arising from agricultural sources.

The Sixth Nitrates Action Programme was developed following a public consultation, which ran from 28 October to 1 December 2025. Separate consultations were held in parallel on the Natura Impact Statement and Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Programme. 80 submissions were received from a mix of stakeholders including farmers, farming organisations, farming industry, environmental non-governmental organisations, State bodies and members of the public.

The Sixth Nitrates Action Programme, and implementing Regulations, come into effect from 1 January 2026.