Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2012
402. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to apply a further extension to the deadline for slurry spreading in view of the fact that there has been no break in the bad weather for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45741/12]
View answer405. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider future extending the dates for slurry spreading in view of the fact that the ongoing wet weather in October has increased the risk of environmental damage from the run off as farmers try to get spreading completed by month end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46292/12]
View answer406. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will extend the slurry spreading season by a further four weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46404/12]
View answer407. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a more flexible system in relation to the farm slurry spreading period, having regard to the erratic weather over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46552/12]
View answer408. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to extend the deadline for the spreading of slurry and fertilisers past the 31 of October, in view of the seriously wet weather that the country has experienced since he announced the extension of the deadline in September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46649/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 405 to 408, inclusive, together.
In September 2012 I announced extensions to the periods for the application of chemical fertiliser and organic manures produced on farms, in direct response to the challenges farmers were facing as a result of the very difficult weather conditions this summer. I moved quickly to give certainty to farmers in advance of the deadlines. However, set closed periods for the spreading of fertilisers, including slurry, are a requirement of the Nitrates Directive and mandatory in every Member State. The purpose of closed periods is to protect ground and surface water bodies, including drinking water sources, by prohibiting the application of fertilisers when such application poses an unacceptable risk to water courses. The closed periods in Ireland were decided following extensive consultation and were discussed with farming bodies and the European Commission at the time.
Good agricultural practice involves the application of fertilisers as early as practicable in the growing season in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution risks to water. The application of fertilisers in the months of November and December is not considered good farming practice and this has been the case long before the Nitrates Regulations came into force in Ireland. Farmers have until 31 October to spread organic manures in accordance with the extension I announced in September. The situation on the ground continues to be monitored closely.
