Article 6 Application of manure and other fertilisers
United Kingdom
The amount of livestock manure from grazing livestock applied to the land each year on grassland farms, including by the animals themselves, shall not exceed the amount of manure containing 250 kg nitrogen per hectare, subject to the conditions laid down in paragraphs 2 to 8.
The total nitrogen inputs shall neither exceed the foreseeable nutrient demand of the considered crop nor the maximum fertilisation rate applicable to the grassland farm, established in the Nitrates Action Programme and shall take into account the supply from the soil. Total nitrogen application shall be differentiated on the basis of stocking rate and grassland productivity.
A fertilisation plan shall be prepared and kept for each grassland farm describing the crop rotation of the farmland and the planned application of manure and other fertilisers. It shall be available at the grassland farm for each calendar year before 1 March of that year. The fertilisation plan shall comprise at least the following:
the crop rotation plan, which must specify the acreage of parcels with grass and parcels with other crops, including a sketch map indicating the location of individual parcels;
the number of livestock on the grassland farm, a description of the housing and manure storage system, including the volume of manure storage available;
a calculation of the manure nitrogen and phosphorus produced on the grassland farm;
the amount, type and characteristics of manure delivered outside the grassland farm or to the grassland farm;
the foreseeable nitrogen and phosphorus crop requirements for each parcel;
results of soil analysis related to nitrogen and phosphorus soil status if available;
the nature of the fertiliser to be used;
a calculation of nitrogen and phosphorus application from manure for each parcel;
a calculation of nitrogen and phosphorus application from chemical and other fertilisers for each parcel.
The fertilisation plan shall be revised no later than 7 days following any change in agricultural practices at the grassland farm.
Fertilisation accounts, including information related to the management of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs and the management of soiled water, shall be prepared and kept for each grassland farm. They shall be submitted to the competent authority for each calendar year by 31 March of the following calendar year.
Periodic nitrogen and phosphorus analysis in soil shall be done for each grassland farm.
Sampling and analysis shall be carried out at least once every 4 years for each homogeneous area of the grassland farm, with regard to crop rotation and soil characteristics.
At least one analysis per 5 hectares of farmland shall be carried out.
The results of the nitrogen and phosphorus analysis in soil shall be available at the grassland farm.
Livestock manure shall not be spread in the autumn before grass cultivation.
At least 50 % of slurry produced on the holding shall be applied by 15 June. Low-emission slurry spreading equipment shall be used for any slurry applications after 15 June.