Farmers’ fertilizer records are not shared – Department

The proposed database will record fertilizer sales, with the information being entered mainly by retailers.

The primary goal is to allow the state to accurately track fertilizer sales throughout the supply chain and provide a more realistic picture of where fertilizer is being applied on the land.

The ministry said the database will also bring several benefits to farmers, including facilitating timely payments under Ireland’s proposed eco-scheme in the next CAP and minimizing the reporting burden on farmers participating in eco-scheme measures related to the Use of fertilizers and lime attend, and those

Use of the exemption for nitrates.

The database will allow farmers to view their own data on the Department’s online portal, www.agfood.ie

It will record fertilizer sales and allow farmers to report closing stock on the farm at the end of the fertilizer application season.

It also allows entering opening balances.

The prerequisite for the database is the entry of all fertilizer sales. This is done at the point of sale using the unique identifier of the buyer.

Regarding the protection of farmers’ privacy, the ministry said all processing of personal data would be in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Asked whether farmers’ records are shared with other departments or state agencies, the ministry said: “The information contained in the database will only be used for purposes associated with the functions of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. “

However, it was also timely said that farmers may be able to use this information to qualify for possible voluntary industry sustainability initiatives that reward certain actions by farmers.

Similar systems are operational in some other EU member states, including Denmark and Belgium, the ministry said.

The legislative proposals needed to underpin the database are expected to be finalized by the end of this year.