Rules allow for closed period slurry spreading

There is provision in the new Nutrient Action Plan (NAP) 2019-2022 for slurry to be spread during the closed period, which begins in NI at midnight on Tuesday 15 October.

“Under exceptional circumstances, beyond the control of and not foreseeable by an individual farmer, a defence may be made for non-compliance with some of the requirements of the regulations, including spreading organic manures during the closed period,” a DAERA spokesperson has said. Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, the spokesperson added that cases are considered by the NI Environment Agency on a case by case basis.

Farmers must have clear evidence that “all reasonable steps” had been taken to manage slurry and that there was no alternative other than spreading during the closed season.

Wet weather delayed late cuts of silage in the east, and ground conditions have not allowed slurry spreading on some farms in the west

Reports indicate that some farmers are under significant pressure to get slurry out ahead of the closed period.

Wet weather delayed late cuts of silage in the east, and ground conditions have not allowed slurry spreading on some farms in the west.

Farmers should note that the new NAP regulations also include new spreading rules which are already in effect. From 30 September to 15 October and during all of February, the maximum slurry application rate drops from 50m³/ha to 30m³/ha (2,700 gallons/acre).

Also, the required buffer zone for spreading near a waterway increases from 10m to 15m, and the buffer zone for lakes increases from 20m to 30m during the same period.

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New slurry rules in NI from September