Nitrates Action Programme on a poultry farm: what you need to know
The Nitrates Action Programme implements Directive 91/676/EEC and applies to every farm using natural fertilisers — including poultry manure. Learn the deadlines, limits and record-keeping requirements.
verifiedFrom the team that has organised work on poultry farms for years.
What is the Nitrates Action Programme?
The Programme of Measures to Reduce Water Pollution from Agricultural Nitrates — commonly called the Nitrates Action Programme — is a national regulation implementing Council Directive 91/676/EEC (the Nitrates Directive). Since 2018 it applies across the whole of Poland, not only to the former NVZs (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones). This means every poultry farmer using manure or other natural fertilisers must comply with the Programme's requirements.
Poultry manure as a natural fertiliser
Poultry manure (from chickens, turkeys or ducks) is classified as a natural fertiliser under the Act on Fertilisers and Fertilisation. It is subject to the same rules as liquid slurry or farmyard manure. Farmers using poultry manure must observe the prohibited application periods, the permitted nitrogen rates per hectare, the minimum storage capacity requirements, and the obligation to keep agrotechnical records.
Who does the Nitrates Action Programme apply to on a farm?
The Programme applies to all farms using natural or mineral nitrogen fertilisers. In practice on a poultry farm it applies to: the farm owner who uses manure on their own land; the party (farmer or agrotechnical contractor) that collects manure and applies it to fields; and also to the farmer who sells manure as a fertiliser — they must provide the recipient with information needed to stay within the limits. For more on manure management itself, see: Poultry manure management.
Link to the veterinary number and farm records
The Nitrates Action Programme does not operate in isolation — a poultry farm already has many record-keeping obligations: registration in IRZplus, maintaining a Flock Card, and veterinary documentation. Agrotechnical records (fertiliser applications) are one more layer that is worth keeping in the same system as the rest. If the farm does not yet have a veterinary identification number, start with registration: Poultry farm veterinary number — registration.
Prohibited periods for applying natural fertilisers
The Nitrates Action Programme introduces periods in which applying natural fertilisers is prohibited. For arable land the prohibition runs from 1 November to 28 February (or 15 March on certain soil types), and for permanent grassland from 15 November to 28 February. Liquid natural fertilisers (slurry, liquid manure) have longer prohibited periods than solid ones (farmyard manure, poultry manure). Applying poultry manure during these periods is an administrative offence.
6 key obligations under the Nitrates Action Programme
Each of these obligations is enforced by ARMA or inspectorates during checks.
Fertiliser application deadlines
Natural fertilisers are banned from 1 November to the end of February (or 15 March). Liquid fertilisers have a longer prohibition than solid ones. Applying outside the permitted window may lead to penalties under the cross-compliance (conditionality) system.
Nitrogen rate — 170 kg N/ha/year limit
The total nitrogen input from natural sources (manure, farmyard manure, slurry) must not exceed 170 kg N per hectare of agricultural land per year. Poultry manure is estimated at approximately 15–19 kg N per tonne — this must be included in the nitrogen balance.
Fertiliser storage capacity
Natural fertiliser storage must hold at least 5 months' production (for new investments). The manure slab or storage tank must be watertight and protected against leakage into the ground and water. Poultry farms most commonly use a covered hall or roofed slab.
Fertilisation plan (mandatory for larger operations)
Farms applying more than 100 kg N/ha or holding more than 100 LSU (livestock units) are required to prepare a written fertilisation plan before the season. The plan includes a soil analysis, field map, planned rates and timing. Smaller operations may use simplified agrotechnical records.
Agrotechnical records
Every fertiliser application — date, field (land registry number), rate, type of fertiliser — must be entered in the agrotechnical records. Records must be kept for at least 3 years and produced on request during inspections by ARMA or the Environmental Protection Inspectorate.
No spreading on slopes or near water
Natural fertilisers may not be applied on land with a slope exceeding 10%, on frozen, snow-covered or waterlogged soil, or within 5 m of running water and 20 m of a water intake. Buffer zones next to watercourses are an absolute requirement.
How to prepare a fertilisation plan for a poultry farm
A fertilisation plan is a planning document, not just a record — it is drawn up before the season, while records document what was actually done.
Collect soil chemical analyses
The basis of the plan is an up-to-date (no more than 4 years old) soil analysis result for N, P, K content and pH for each field or group of fields with similar parameters. Samples are submitted to the regional agricultural chemical station.
Calculate crop nutrient requirements
For each field and crop planned for the season, calculate the nutrient requirements based on the target yield and existing nutrient content in the soil. Subtract nitrogen brought in by previous fertilisers and crop residues.
Enter manure rates and timing
Calculate how many tonnes of manure you can apply to each field without exceeding 170 kg N/ha. Enter the planned application dates and check they do not fall in a prohibited period. Account for the form — dry or wet manure has different nitrogen parameters.
Keep records up to date
At the time of each application, update your records with the parcel number, date, actual rate and type of fertiliser. In DlaFerm.pl you can link agrotechnical records to the farm profile and export them in a format ready to show during an inspection.
Frequently asked questions about the Nitrates Action Programme on poultry farms
Does the Nitrates Action Programme apply to my farm if I don't grow crops?add
If the farm produces manure but does not apply it on its own land and instead transfers or sells it to external recipients, the programme obligations (rate limits, records) pass to the recipient. The farm should still document the transfer and provide the recipient with data on nitrogen content. Check whether the contract with the recipient covers these requirements.
From what date is applying poultry manure in winter prohibited?add
For solid natural fertilisers (including poultry manure) the prohibition on arable land runs from 1 November to 28 February. On permanent grassland it runs from 15 November to 28 February. These dates may vary slightly depending on the current version of the Programme, so always check the current MRiRW regulation.
What is 170 kg N/ha and how do I calculate it for manure?add
The limit of 170 kg of nitrogen from natural fertilisers per hectare of agricultural land per year comes from the Nitrates Directive. Dry poultry manure contains on average 15–25 kg N per tonne (depending on species, moisture content and storage conditions). At 18 kg N/t this means approximately 9–9.5 tonnes of manure per hectare per year. The exact N content should be confirmed by laboratory analysis or the tabulated values in the regulation.
Does a poultry farm have to have a fertilisation plan?add
The obligation to prepare a written fertilisation plan applies to farms with more than 100 ha, or holding more than 100 LSU, or applying nitrogen fertilisers at more than 100 kg N/ha/year. Smaller farms keep simplified agrotechnical records without a formal plan, but record-keeping is compulsory for all.
Who enforces the Nitrates Action Programme?add
Compliance with the Nitrates Action Programme is monitored by the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture (ARMA) under the conditionality (cross-compliance) system linked to direct payment eligibility. The Environmental Protection Inspectorate may inspect fertiliser storage conditions and direct threats to water bodies. Breaches can result in reduced area payments or an administrative penalty.
How does DlaFerm.pl help with Nitrates Action Programme compliance?add
DlaFerm.pl enables you to keep flock and production records for the farm, which is the foundation for estimating the quantity of manure produced. Data on bird numbers and production cycles allows you to calculate annual manure output and link it to agrotechnical records, reducing the risk of documentation gaps during an inspection.
Sources & resources
- linkISAP — MRiRW Regulation on the Nitrates Action Programme (consolidated text, in Polish)
- linkCouncil Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (EUR-Lex)
- linkGov.pl — MRiRW: Nitrates Action Programme — information for farmers (in Polish)
- linkPolish Waters (Wody Polskie) — water protection against nitrates (in Polish)
- linkARMA — conditionality (cross-compliance) and the Nitrates Action Programme (in Polish)
- linkCentre for Rural Advisory (CDR) — poultry manure use guidance (in Polish)
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