New proposals contained in Northern Ireland’s Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) could “devastate local farming”, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) warned today (Friday, May 9).
Earlier this month the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir , launched a public consultation on the NAP for 2026 to 2029, which he said contains “additional measures which have been developed based on scientific research”.
The main additional measures include further restrictions on use of chemical phosphorus fertiliser and a farm phosphorus balance limit for more intensive farms.
According to Minister Muir research shows that around 62% of the high nutrient (phosphorus) levels in Northern Ireland’s waterbodies “come from agricultural sources”.
“I also recognise that agriculture is not the only sector impacting on water quality. Wastewater treatment is also a significant source of nutrient inputs which are a key cause of poor water quality. It is important that all sectors play their part in improving water quality,” the minister added.
But he said also stated that it was “essential to review NAP and consider additional measures to reduce the overall phosphorus surplus in our agricultural system”.
UFU
According to the UFU the new NAP proposals could impact on thousands of farmers across Northern Ireland and result in many having to find more land for slurry spreading or cut their livestock numbers.
It has claimed the move is a “backdoor attempt to shrink herds and flocks”.
John McLenaghan, UFU deputy president, said, “We’re being blamed based on percentage phosphorus figures that aren’t even properly measured – they’re modelled by computers. These models are only as good as the data they’re given, and this data, the accuracy of which is a concern, is now being used to hammer our farmers.
The proposed phosphorus limits are just one element of DAERA’s sweeping changes under the NAP consultation. We’re urgently assessing the full economic impact with our committees, but the outlook is grim.
According to the UFU there are in the region of 30 new measures proposed by DAERA but its key concerns revolve around:
- Compulsory uncultivated buffer strips for arable and horticulture farms;
- Strict phosphorus limits for 3,500 farms;
- Mandatory Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment (LESSE) by 2030.
The UFU has also criticised what it has describe as a “lack of genuine consultation” and claimed today that key stakeholders have been blindsided by the scope and timing of the proposals.
“Unlike previous NAP consultations, there’s been a lack of engagement with the industry prior to the consultation being released.
“Many of the measures and timelines that have been proposed, have come as a surprise to the UFU and our members. Had there been genuine engagement, a more balanced approach that is workable for farmers could have been adopted,” McLenaghan added.
Separately the Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has also criticised DAERA’s NAP and said it highlighted how “out of sync the minister is with grass-roots farming in Northern Ireland”.
The MP added: “I have been contacted by concerned dairy farmers who see the NAP proposals as another plot to drive them out of business.
“A leading milk producer has told me the figures just don’t add up. To maintain his current system in line with incoming NAP regulations, he would need three times more land or be forced to significantly reduce cow numbers.
“Feelings are running high, with many suggesting DAERA is on a path to decimate livestock farming and cull farm animals. If this is the case, agriculture, jobs and food security will be severely jeopardised.”
