Vol. 543 No. 5
250 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the research which has been carried out on the size and capacity of slurry tanks grant aided under his Department's schemes; his views on whether many of these are too small, thereby leaving farmers with no option but to dispose of slurry often at inopportune times; if he has examined the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28091/01]
Under my Department's farm waste management scheme it is the function of the agricultural consultant-advisers who prepare applications for farmers to calculate slurry storage requirements on holdings. The requirements are to be calculated in accordance with guidelines on slurry storage requirements for different classes of livestock issued by my Department and local authority by laws where applicable. I am not aware of any study carried out on the size and capacity of the slurry tanks grant-aided by my Department. The question of how and when to dispose of slurry is a matter of good management and all farmers availing of grant aid under the relevant schemes operated by my Department must undertake to observe the guidelines laid down in the code for good farming practice. This includes the proper disposal of slurry.
