Farm Inspections and Regulations
Farm Inspections and Regulations
Farm Inspections
South Dublin County Council carry out farm inspections each year as part of the National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP), overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The NAIP aims to establish a consistent, risk-based inspection framework across all local authorities, with the aim of reducing agricultural pressures on water quality nationally.
During an inspection, farmyards and farmland are inspected for compliance with the Good Agricultural Practice Regulations (see below).
Aspects covered during the inspection include:
- Collection and storage of slurry, manures, effluents and soiled water
- Minimisation of soiled water
- Land-spreading of chemical and organic fertilisers
- Tillage, ploughing and green cover
- Stocking rates
The NAIP Summary Report for 2024 is available here: NAIP-Summary-Report-2024.pdf
Good Agricultural Practice Regulations
The European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2025 (GAP Regulations) came into effect on 1st January 2026 and can be accessed here: GAP Regulations - SI_588_of_2025. An explanatory guide to the measures which farmers must comply with under the GAP Regulations is available atNitrates Explanatory Handbook for GAP Regulations 2022.This is for general guidance only, please consult the GAP Regulations for full details.
The GAP Regulations give legal effect to Ireland's national Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) under the EU Nitrates Directive and are currently in force. The purpose of the NAP is to prevent pollution of surface waters and groundwater from agricultural nutrients, and to protect and improve water quality. The Government has published Ireland’s Sixth Nitrates Action Programme 2026-2028, which is available here: Sixth Nitrates Action Programme 2026 - 2028
