Using fertilisers
Organic or manufactured nitrogen fertilisers that you use on your land can pollute surface and ground waters.
What you must do
Store and apply fertilisers safely
Make sure you comply with regulations on storing and applying fertilisers by checking our guidance on chemical and man-made fertilisers
Check if you need to comply with spreading limits for manure and fertilisers
If your land is in a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) Scotland you may have to comply with limits on the amount of livestock manure and manufactured fertilisers you can spread on your land. These limits apply to all land in Northern Ireland.
Read our guidance on NVZs for more information and to find out if you are in an NVZ.
Northern Ireland: Nitrate Action Programme and Phosphorus Regulations
DAERA: NAP 2019-2022: Changes to NAP and New Measures
Scotland: Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs)
Further information on using fertilisers
DAERA: Summary of the Nitrates action programme and Phosphorus regulations 2015 - 2018
SEE ALSO: Chemical and man made fertilisers, Slurry manure and silage effluent, Landspreading sewage sludge