Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 10

Written Answers. - Slurry Effluent Management.

Roger T. Garland

Ceist:

177 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment whether he approves of the spreading of cattle and pig slurry above the levels recommended by the Teagasc report of 6 April 1989 as enclosed with his letter of 19 April 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Miss Harney)

I would refer the Deputy to my reply of 26 April 1990 to Question No. 79 regarding proper effluent management practices and environmentally acceptable disposal methods for pig slurry.

Decisions on environmentally acceptable spreading rates for slurry depend on many factors including soil type, hydrogeology, land slope, climate and soil moisture deficit. Accordingly, it is not possible to determine a single spreading rate which would be appropriate for the entire country. Similarly, there may be conditions under which spreading at rates above those recommended by Teagasc could be undertaken without damage to the environment.

The Teagasc recommendations are intended as general guidelines. Farmers would be well advised not to exceed them unless there are good grounds for believing that pollution will not result.

Should water pollution occur because of excessive slurry spreading, or spreading when ground of weather conditions are unsuitable, the person responsible would be liable to prosecution under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977.