# The Nutrient Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019, Paragraph 1 Extent: N.I. If an application of organic manure (including livestock manure) or chemical fertiliser to steeply 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 1 shall be considered in making this risk assessment. Table 2 shall be consulted to ascertain whether fertiliser application is permitted. Table 1 Fertiliser application to steeply sloping ground – risk assessment factors Factor Risk Liquid organic manures Solid organic manures Chemical fertiliser Distance from spreading area to waterway other than lake High less than 20 metres less than 20 metres less than 5 metres Medium 20 – 30 metres 20 – 30 metres 5 – 10 metres Low greater than 30 metres greater than 30 metres greater than 10 metres 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 Level of fertiliser applied High more than 25m3/ha more than 25 tonnes/ha greater than 120 kg/N/ha Medium 15 – 25m3/ha 15 – 25 tonnes/ha 80 – 120 kg/N/ha Low less than 15m3/ha less than 15 tonnes/ha less than 80 kg/N/ha Soil conditions High very wet, compacted soil very wet, compacted soil very wet, compacted soil Medium wet, poached soil wet, poached soil wet, poached soil Low dry, firm trafficable soil dry, firm trafficable soil dry, firm trafficable soil Forecast weather conditions for next 48 hours High heavy rainfall (more than 4 mm per hour) heavy rainfall (more than 4 mm per hour) heavy rainfall (more than 4 mm per hour) Medium moderate rainfall (0.5 – 4 mm per hour) moderate rainfall (0.5 – 4 mm per hour) moderate rainfall (0.5 – 4 mm per hour) Low low rainfall (less than 0.5 mm per hour) low rainfall (less than 0.5 mm per hour) low rainfall (less than 0.5mm per hour) Arable land only – time to incorporation High more than 48 hours more than 5 days n/a Medium 12 – 48 hours 3 – 5 days n/a Low less than 12 hours less than 3 days n/a Table 2 Risk assessment determination Risk level Number of factors applicable Is the land application of fertiliser permitted High Risk One or more factors No Medium Risk Two or more factors No One factor Yes Low Risk One or more factors Yes --- Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2019/81/schedule/4/paragraph/1 (the official version) Page: https://openlegislation.uk/nutrient-action-programme-regulations-northern-ireland-2019/schedule-4/paragraph-1 Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.