Two weeks ago, we reported comments by DAERA minister Andrew Muir that further changes will be required to the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) on the back of advice from the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP).

The OEP was set up in the UK post-Brexit to replace the role of the European Commission in ensuring government departments comply with environmental law – their advice is not something Minister Muir can ignore.

The main issue raised by the OEP relates to a new Nutrient Stewardship Programme (NSP) contained within the latest NAP proposals drawn up by government and industry.

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In particular, the OEP has highlighted a proposal to allow intensive livestock farms operating beyond the current limit of 170kg manure nitrogen (N) per hectare, to join a second tier of the NSP.

These farms will have to comply with the same 250kg N limit as currently applies to derogated farmers, but rather than meet a P balance of 10kg/ha, they have to reduce their P surplus over the next four years.

The OEP is concerned this Tier 2 arrangement will lead to more emissions from NI farming, although it is hard to see that being a widespread outcome.

By singling out the new stewardship programme, the OEP has risked undermining something that is actually a really significant change in policy and which sets out a clear pathway to reduce nutrient loads on intensive farms.

DAERA, the OEP and others should tread carefully at this stage and not make the same mistake that was made during the whole debate around climate change legislation.

Our main farming organisations agreed to a very taxing 82% reduction in emissions by 2050 as part of NI’s fair contribution to UK net zero emissions by that date.

Yet, we ended up with a net zero target in NI which will be impossible to reach unless we drastically cut livestock numbers in NI, or spend billions on carbon capture technology.

Those who voted through that target were warned it would alienate many farmers and that is exactly what happened.

There is a danger of something similar playing out if the latest NAP proposals are tightened even further at this stage.

The direction of travel is towards meeting 10kg P/ha and 170kg N/ha limits, but our industry must be given sufficient time to find solutions and adjust.