I am aware of the Commissioner’s response to that question.
In view of the exceptional weather conditions experienced in Ireland this summer, I decided to grant an extension to the period during which chemical fertiliser may be applied. The closed period for chemical fertiliser will now commence on 1 October 2012 instead of 15 September 2012. I also decided to extend the period for spreading livestock manures produced on farms. In this instance, the closed period was due to start on 15 October 2012 but will not now commence until 1 November 2012.
I took these complementary decisions early in September to provide certainty to farmers so that they could plan ahead to minimize the impact of an emerging fodder crisis by facilitating extended autumn grazing, and to optimize the management of manure disposal on their farms.
The commencement of the closed periods has been deferred by two weeks. All other conditions of the Nitrates Regulations continue to apply, including the suitability of weather and ground conditions. The question of allowing fertilizer application when occasional periods of good weather arise during the closed periods does not arise.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is working closely with farm advisors to ensure that appropriate advice on conditions for spreading is reinforced at local level.
