Welsh livestock farmers can continue spreading organic manures on land at 250kg/ha of nitrogen a year until 2025, if there is a crop need.

The decision comes after a Welsh Government consultation when options such as a new licensing scheme for farmers who needed to operate above the basic 170kg/ha annual holding nitrogen limit were considered.

Rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths has now scrapped that idea and is instead introducing an ‘enhanced nutrient management approach’ to cover the period from 1 January to 31 December 2024.

It means that farmers who need to apply more than 170kg/ha nitrogen from livestock manures must notify Natural Resources Wales by 31 March 2024.

They will also need to agree to undertake additional actions, to minimise the risks associated with the additional application of manures to land.

The government said it would also delay introducing the basic 170kg/ha annual holding nitrogen limit until 1 January 2024, a measure which had been expected to start next month.

Announcing her decision, Ms Griffiths said: “These new steps represent further action towards our shared aim to significantly reduce pollution from agriculture, demonstrating our continued commitment to do so in partnership with the farming community to achieve lasting results.’’

The decision was welcomed by the farming industry who said it would reduce the impact of the new regulations on food production in Wales.

Farmers’ Union of Wales president Ian Rickman said the approach would avoid a “bureaucratic application process”.

However he called on the Welsh government to provide clear guidance on what actions farmers would need to undertake and what evidence they would be expected to provide.

“We sincerely hope the Welsh Government begins the process of reviewing the regulations sooner rather than later, to include the consideration of a permanent higher nitrogen limit and alternatives to the closed periods, so that long term clarity can be provided to the Welsh agricultural sector,” said Mr Rickman.

NFU Cymru had opposed the 170kg/ha nitrogen limit because it believed it would set a stocking limit on Welsh farms.

The union’s president Aled Jones said evidence showed that a 250kg/ha annual holding nitrogen limit could be justified and would not damage the environment.

He called for a longer-term approach that would extend this provision beyond 2024.

“The need for a long-term sustainable solution that enables farmers to operate above the 170kg nitrogen per hectare limit from livestock manures beyond 2024 cannot be overstated,’’ said Mr Jones.