A reduction in chemical nitrogen allowances, and increased buffer zones around rivers are understood to be some of the new conditions attached to an extension of Ireland's nitrates derogation.
Later today, the EU Nitrates Committee is expected to grant a three-year extension of the derogation, which expires this month, until the end of 2028.
According to a draft of the decision seen by RTÉ News, from 2028 "the annual maximum grassland fertilisation rate from chemical fertilisers" will be reduced by 5% for derogation farms.
Meanwhile, larger buffer zones, areas where fertiliser cannot be used, around the rivers Barrow, Slaney, Nore, and Blackwater will also be introduced from 2028.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these are all areas where improvements in water quality are well behind target.
Authorities here will also be required to carry out more "field inspections" on at least 10% of derogation farms every year to ensure they are complying with the terms of the derogation.
These conditions are in addition to a requirement for derogation farmers to demonstrate efforts to conserve designated sites or species under the EU's Habitats Directive.
Ireland's nitrates derogation allows around 7,000 farmers to keep more livestock per acre of land than is allowed under the EU Nitrates Directive.
The directive limits the amount of fertiliser - including slurry - farmers can use on their land and effectively the number of livestock they can have, to protect water from pollution by agriculture.
Last month the European Commission recommended extending the nitrates derogation for Ireland.
In its draft decision, the commission says certain measures introduced by Government contributed to an extension being granted.
These include a €60 million scheme for farmers to help them reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion, and a proposal to increase required slurry and soiled water storage capacity on farms.
It is also noted in the draft decision that any findings from a legal case taken by An Taisce against Government in relation to its Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) could result in additional conditions being applied to the extension of the derogation.
An Taisce alleges that measures taken under previous NAPs failed to prevent pollution of surface waters and ground water from agricultural sources.
Last year the case was referred by the High Court here to the European Court of Justice, with a ruling expected by the middle of 2026.
Ireland is the last remaining EU member state seeking a nitrates derogation.
