Ministers Darragh O’Brien and Charlie McConalogue from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, have granted the extension. A statement from the DAFM explained: “Based on the evidence, which has been assessed against the published criteria, the closed period will now commence on October 15.”
Announcing the decision, Minister McConalogue said: “I recognise that unseasonable weather conditions experienced this summer and during September, have impacted trafficability and provided limited opportunities for slurry applications by farmers and contractors.
“I am conscious that last week’s significant rainfall diminished the opportunity to avail of the limited extension already announced. It is important to recognise also that the published criteria do not provide for a prolonged extension period. The decision today to provide an additional week is justified and will facilitate prudent application by farmers.
“Given the need to deliver on our commitments to improving water quality, it is fundamental that slurry is applied under the right conditions and at the right time of year. It is critical that farm practices deliver on water quality. As part of this, nutrient application must align with crop uptake”.
Farmers are reminded to observe the buffer zones that apply at this time of the year. There is no provision to extend this slurry-spreading period beyond October 14.