Am I eligible for a derogation?

Are you struggling to keep within the limits of your NVZ whole farm limit of 170kg/ha N? You may be eligible for a grassland derogation if your holding is at least 80% grass and the majority of your livestock are grazing livestock. Grazing livestock include:

• cattle (except for veal calves)
• sheep
• deer
• goats
• horses

You can apply for a grassland derogation to use a higher limit of up to 250kg of nitrogen per hectare, if the nitrogen comes from grazing livestock manures.

You must comply with the conditions of a derogation and the NVZ rules if your application is successful. For more information, click here. 

How do I apply for a derogation?

You can apply for a derogation each autumn to cover the following year by telephoning the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 and requesting the ‘Reg Aware Team’ or by emailing REGAWARE@environment-agency.gov.uk. When you apply, you will need to provide the following information:

Applicant name
Name of farm/business
Address
Postcode
Telephone number of applicant
Email address of applicant
CPH number(s)
SBI number
Have you held a derogation previously Y/N
Is all of your farm in an NVZ ?

Agricultural area on 1st Jan 2024
Area of grassland on 1st Jan 2024
Any grazing livestock Y/N
Est amount of nitrogen produced by grazing livestock kgN
Est import of nitrogen from grazing livestock kgN
Est export of nitrogen from grazing livestock kgN

Any non-grazing livestock Y/N
Est amount of nitrogen produced by non-grazing livestock kgN
Est import of nitrogen from non-grazing livestock kgN
Est export of nitrogen from non-grazing livestock kgN
Farm map

If you would you like CXCS to apply for a grassland derogation on your behalf, please contact our Agricultural Compliance Team on 01981 590514.

Inspections

The Environment Agency may inspect your farm to make sure you’re meeting conditions of your derogation.