The Government has unveiled strict new slurry and fertiliser rules for all farmers.The next Nitrates Action Programme includes tighter restrictions on fertiliser sales and spreading dates, as well as a ban on soiled water spreading in December and new rules on slurry spreading in October.
The Government has unveiled strict new slurry and fertiliser rules for all farmers.
The next Nitrates Action Programme includes tighter restrictions on fertiliser sales and spreading dates, as well as a ban on soiled water spreading in December and new rules on slurry spreading in October.
Coming into force in 2022, the programme also introduces mandatory low-emission spreading for even lowly stocked farms, and a closer examination of each farmer’s slurry storage needs and capacity.
The European Commission will vote in March on whether Ireland will be granted a nitrates derogation for higher-stocked farmers.
While some of the most punishing proposals have been scrapped in the final programme, farm organisations say it will cost farmers.
The IFA has insisted that grant aid and accelerated capital allowance schemes must be introduced to support their adoption, while the ICSA said the programme “adds extra cost, red tape and restrictions”.
The ICSA described compulsory low-emission slurry spreading for lowly stocked farms as “impractical” for farmers with conventional slurry spreaders and smaller slatted sheds.
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