Vol. 468 No. 1
203 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his policy in relation to the spreading of slurry from herds culled due to BSE, TB, Brucellosis or any contagious disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14571/96]
Controls on slurry from a herd which has a confirmed case of disease depend on the disease risk posed by the slurry. As far as BSE is concerned, there is no evidence that the disease can be spread by slurry. Accordingly, there are no restrictions on the spread of slurry from a herd which has been de-populated due to a case of BSE in the herd. In the case of TB and brucellosis, however, herdowners are advised to store slurry for at least two months before spreading on land used for tillage, silage or hay.
204 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on whether injection slurry spreaders should be made compulsory in sensitive areas and that grants be made available to agricultural contractors for the purchase of such machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14572/96]
Existing slurry injection systems are not suitable to Irish conditions where soils generally contain a relatively high stone content. It is not, therefore, practical to make slurry injection compulsory in sensitive areas.
Under the rural environment protection scheme (REPS) there are very clear guidelines for the safe, effective and efficient spreading of slurry and other wastes. These guidelines, applied at farm level, will prevent pollution.
As the Deputy may be aware all capital grant schemes related to pollution control operated by my Department, are, and always have been, aimed at the control and management of waste at farm level. There is no intention to change this policy.
