Government announces one-week extension to slurry spreading
Stock image of tractor on farm
THE government has announced a one-week extension to the slurry spreading deadline, moving it to Wednesday 7 October, with the closed period for slurry spreading starting on Thursday 8 October. Farmers who wish to avail of the deadline must register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in advance of spreading.
The extension is being brought in in response to the exceptional weather over the summer period and the recent surge in grass growth in areas that were previously impacted by drought.
This extension was announced by the minister for agriculture, food and the marine Martin Heydon and minister for housing, local government and heritage James Browne on 25 September.
Announcing the extension, the ministers said: “The provide for an extension to the slurry spreading period in exceptional circumstances where defined criteria have been met. We are satisfied those criteria have been met this year and, in response, a one-week extension has been granted.”
Minister Heydon further commented that he hoped this extension would help manage workloads on farms, with some farm animals being kept indoors until relatively recently.
Both ministers concluded by stating that given the importance of improving water quality, inspectors from the local authorities and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine would be adopting a zero-tolerance approach to anyone found spreading slurry, or soiled water, during the respective closed period.
Farmers can register for the extension by emailing nitrates@agriculture.gov.ie or phoning 053 916 3425 and quoting their herd number.
