Published in the Official Gazette dated 12 October 2025, the Communiqué on the Designation of Nitrate-Sensitive Areas, Environmentally Friendly Agricultural Practices, and the Implementation, Monitoring and Reporting of the Nitrate Action Plan (Communiqué No: 2025/17) introduces a comprehensive new framework to prevent nitrate pollution in waters arising from agricultural activities.
Purpose and Scope
The Communiqué aims to regulate the processes for identifying nitrate-sensitive areas, defining the principles of environmentally friendly agricultural practices, and preparing, implementing, monitoring, and reporting the Nitrate Action Plan. Its scope covers both administrative and technical aspects, including area designation, farm inspections, fertilizer management, and sustainable agricultural production practices.
Definitions and Conceptual Framework
The Communiqué includes an extensive set of definitions. Key terms include Environmentally Friendly Agricultural Practices (Annex-1), Certificate of Compliance for Environmentally Friendly Agricultural Practices, NİBİS (National Nitrate Information System), Nitrate Action Plan, Nitrate-Sensitive Area/Zone, and Manure Management Plan. These definitions establish the administrative and technical foundation for subsequent obligations.
Designation of Nitrate-Sensitive Areas
Nitrate-sensitive areas are designated through the combined assessment of hydrogeological and hydrological sensitivity, nitrogen pollution load, and agricultural pollution monitoring data. Nitrogen loads from crop production and livestock are calculated separately on a settlement basis (kg N/ha and total kg N) using the coefficients in Annex-5. The Ministry determines sensitive areas at the village/neighbourhood level, updates the list every four years, and publishes updates on its official website.
Environmentally Friendly Agricultural Practices
These practices include rules regarding land management, nutrient and irrigation management, manure management, plant protection products, and farm record-keeping. They are mandatory in nitrate-sensitive areas and voluntary in non-sensitive areas under the Nitrate Action Plan (subject to certain exceptions).
Nitrate Action Plan
The Nitrate Action Plan is prepared in line with the measures set out in Annex-7 and is mandatory in nitrate-sensitive areas. In non-sensitive areas, enterprises producing 3,500 kg or more of nitrogen per year are also subject to mandatory manure management provisions. The Plan is monitored and updated every four years and published on the Ministry’s website.
Monitoring and Inspection
Monitoring is carried out under two programs: the Water Pollution Monitoring Program and the Farm Monitoring Program. Farm monitoring results are recorded in NİBİS, and annual and four-year reports are prepared. At least 1% of farms are inspected each year at the district level. Enterprises found to be compliant may be issued a Certificate of Compliance, while those failing to remedy non-compliance within six months will have their certificates revoked.
Animal Manure Management
Enterprises producing 1,600 kg or more of nitrogen per year are required to have an environmentally friendly manure storage facility. The storage requirement also applies to capacity expansions or new facilities benefiting from grants, subsidies, or loans. Specific storage conditions are defined for nomadic small ruminant farms. Contracts must be executed (Annex-9 and Annex-10) for the transfer of manure to greenhouses, farms, or biogas/compost/organic fertilizer facilities. Storage capacity is calculated according to Annex-11, while transport and record-keeping are documented under Annex-12.
Training and Administrative Sanctions
The Ministry organizes annual training and extension programs for farmers and provides training sessions for authorized personnel and agricultural consultants. In cases of non-compliance, the Certificate of Compliance is revoked, and relevant legal provisions are applied.
Repealed Legislation
The Communiqué on the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Nitrate Pollution from Agricultural Sources in Waters (No: 2016/46), published in the Official Gazette dated 11 February 2017 and numbered 29976, has been repealed. References made to the repealed communiqué shall be deemed to refer to the new one.
The Communiqué entered into force on 12 October 2025 and is implemented by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. It establishes an integrated system for implementation, inspection, and reporting in the fight against nitrate pollution.The new regulation introduces significant technical and administrative obligations, particularly for livestock farms, greenhouse operations, and biogas/compost facilities. It is therefore crucial for agricultural enterprises to align their manure management, storage, and record-keeping systems with the provisions of the Communiqué.
You can access the full text of the Communiqué (in Turkish) at:
https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2025/10/20251012-4.htm
Best Regards,
Balay, Eryiğit & Erten
