‘Premature’ to consider farmyard manure deadline extension

It is premature to be considering an extension to the farmyard manure spreading deadline, according to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

The closed period for spreading farmyard manure comes into effect on 1 November.

A spokesperson for the Department of Housing said that “it is premature to consider any actions” outside of the current spreading deadline arrangements.

“However, as is standard, the situation will be kept under review by both this Department and the Department of Agriculture.”

Nitrates Action Programme

Under the Nitrates Directive, Ireland and all other EU member states are required to define set periods when the spreading of fertiliser is not allowed.

Continuing, the Department spokesperson said: “Findings from the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) operated by Teagasc support the current closed periods in Ireland.

“A key message from the research is that there are disproportionately high nutrient losses to waters from agriculture during the winter and the current closed period coincides with the time during which risks of incidental nutrient losses to water are highest.”

The closed periods were decided following extensive public consultation and were discussed with farming bodies and the European Commission at the time, the spokesperson said.

The Nitrates Action Programme was reviewed in 2010 and 2013, with the third review due to be completed by the end of this year.

“We are now at a critical juncture in the context of those negotiations with the European Commission.

“A major priority for Ireland is the renewal of the Nitrates Derogation, which allows more intensive farms to operate at higher stocking rates and expires at the end of this year.”

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