# The Nutrient Action Programme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019, Regulation 19: Amendment of Schedule 4 In Schedule 4— (a) after the heading in Schedule 4 insert— “PART 1” (b) in Table 1— (i) for the heading of the fifth column substitute “Chemical fertiliser”; (ii) for the entry “Distance from spreading area to lake” substitute— “ Distance from spreading area to lake High less than 30 metres less than 30 metres less than 10 metres Medium 30 – 40 metres 30 – 40 metres 10 – 15 metres Low greater than 40 metres greater than 40 metres greater than 15 metres ” (c) at the end of Schedule 4 insert— “PART 2 Risk assessment for fertiliser application to land other than steeply sloping land 1. If an application of organic manure (including livestock manure) or chemical fertiliser to sloping land is proposed, a risk assessment must be undertaken in addition to meeting all relevant requirements of these Regulations. The factors set out in Table 3 shall be considered in making this risk assessment. Table 4 shall be consulted to ascertain whether fertiliser application is permitted. Table 3 Risk assessment for fertiliser application to land other than steeply sloping land Factor Risk Level Organic Manures Chemical Fertiliser Grassland Other land Grassland Other land Slope percentage incline High 20% or more (See Part 1) 15% or more (See Part 1) 20% or more (See Part 1) 15% or more (See Part 1) Medium 10 to less than 20% 10 to less than 15% 10 to less than 20% 10 to less than 15% Low Less than 10% Less than 10% Less than 10% Less than 10% Distance from spreading area to waterway other than lakes High Less than 10 metres (see Note 1) Less than 2 metres Medium 10 to 20 metres (see Note 2) 2 to 5 metres Low More than 20 metres More than 5 metres Distance from spreading area to lake High Less than 20 metres Less than 10 metres Medium 20 to 30 metres 10 to 15 metres Low More than 30 metres More than 15 metres Amount applied per hectare per application High More than 50m3 (liquid) or 50 tonnes (solid) More than 150kg Nitrogen Medium 25 to 50m3 (liquid) or 25 to 50 tonnes (solid) (see Note 2) 120 to 150kg Nitrogen Low Less than 25m3 (liquid) or 25 tonnes (solid) Less than 120kg Nitrogen Soil conditions at time of proposed slurry application High Very wet, compacted soil Very wet, compacted soil Medium Wet, poached soil Wet, poached soil Low Dry, firm trafficable soil Dry, firm trafficable soil Forecast weather conditions for next 48 hours High Heavy rainfall (more than 4mm per hour) Heavy rainfall (more than 4mm per hour) Medium Moderate rainfall (0.5 to 4mm per hour) Moderate rainfall (0.5 to 4mm per hour) Low Low rainfall (less than 0.5mm per hour) Low rainfall (less than 0.5mm per hour) Arable land only – time to incorporation Liquid Solid High More than 48 hours (see Note 3) More than 5 days Not applicable Medium 12 to 48 hours 3 to 5 days Not applicable Low Less than 12 hours less than 3 days Not applicable Note 1: If regulation 8(5)(f) applies, for risk level “high” substitute “medium”. Note 2: During the month of February and the period of 30th September to 15th October each year the distances and quantity in regulation 8(9) apply: spreading must not be done within 15m of a waterway or 5m if regulation 8(5)(f) applies, 30m of a lake and the application rate must not exceed 30m3 or 30 tonnes per hectare. Note 3: Where organic manure is applied to an established crop, incorporation is not required, for risk level “high” substitute “medium”. Table 4 Risk Assessment Determination Risk Level Number of factors applicable Is the land application of fertiliser permitted? High One or more factors No Medium Three or more factors No One or two factors Yes Low One or more factors Yes ” --- Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2019/183/regulation/19 (the official version) Page: https://openlegislation.uk/nutrient-action-programme-amendment-regulations-northern-ireland-2019/regulation-19 Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.