Regulation 8(2)(f)
SCHEDULE 4N.I.Risk assessment for fertiliser application to steeply sloping land
This schedule has no associated Explanatory Memorandum
1. 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.N.I.
Table 1
Fertiliser application to steeply sloping ground – risk assessment factors
Factor | Risk | Liquid organic manures | Solid organic manures | Chemical nitrogen 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 5 metres |
Medium | 30 – 40 metres | 30 – 40 metres | 5 – 10 metres | |
Low | greater than 40 metres | greater than 40 metres | greater than 10 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 |