Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2021
233. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the difference between parlour washing and soiled water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57764/21]
View answerThe Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage are the competent authority for the Nitrates regulations (SI 605 2017). When a milking parlour is washed down and the washings are stored in a separate tank to livestock manure, this is considered to be soiled water. Teagasc research shows this material contains four units of nitrogen per 1,000 gallons in comparison to slurry which contains 9 units of nitrogen per 1,000 gallons.
Soiled water may be spread during the closed period for spreading livestock manure as long as weather and ground conditions are suitable. As soiled water contains valuable nutrients, every effort should be made to optimise its use in order to facilitate a reduction in the need for chemical fertiliser.
