asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action he proposes to make the farming community aware of the best and simplest means of dealing safely with silage effluent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Effluent Silage.
100.
Such a service is already available to farmers through the agricultural advisory services in each county. In giving farm buildings scheme grants for silos, my Department also ensure that the silos are sited where effluent is disposed of safely, either naturally or with the help of subsidised storage facilities like sumps, dungsteads and liquid manure tanks. The Department's Leaflet No. 142 on Farmyard Sewage, which includes advice on silage effluent is supplied free of cost to farmers on request.
Is the Minister aware that many members of the farming community believe that the safe disposal of the silage effluent is very costly and that it is a total liability on the farmer? The result is that there is a tendency for the farmer to neglect the disposal of this effluent?
Has the Deputy any suggestions to put forward?
The suggestion I would put forward is that the Minister consider the technique suggested by An Foras Talúntais in an article in a recent publication. If it was more widely known that this was a cheaper and more efficient method for the disposal of effluent it would help to solve the problem.
I agree completely with the Deputy. However, the Deputy started by saying that this was a very expensive business while, in fact, it is an inexpensive business using the method that the Agricultural Institution are using in Grange.
The Minister should bring this technique to the notice of the farmers.
I will do whatever possible.