DAERA is warning farmers about stricter rules for spreading slurry which are in place throughout February.“It should be noted that during the month of February, the buffer zones for spreading slurry are increased and the maximum slurry application rate is also reduced,” a DAERA spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.
DAERA is warning farmers about stricter rules for spreading slurry which are in place throughout February.
“It should be noted that during the month of February, the buffer zones for spreading slurry are increased and the maximum slurry application rate is also reduced,” a DAERA spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.
The rules state that the buffer zone for spreading near a waterway with a splash plate increases from 10m to 15m during February and October. If low-emission slurry spreading equipment is used, it increases from 3m to 5m.
Maximum application rates for all slurry equipment during this time also falls from 4,500 gallons per acre to 2,750 gallons per acre.
The DAERA spokesperson confirmed that officials from the NI Environment Agency (NIEA) are actively inspecting slurry applications on local farms.
So far, these investigations appear to be mainly focused on reports that NIEA received about slurry being applied during the final days of the closed period.
The spokesperson said that NIEA inspectors assess the application method that was used, the spreading distance from waterways, and signs of any water pollution.
DAERA said it is unable to comment on the likelihood of financial penalties or prosecutions stemming from recent slurry inspections, as investigations remain ongoing.
“However, NIEA can and will take action where deemed necessary,” the spokesperson added.
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