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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 4

Written Answers. - Slurry Spreading Regulations.

Gerry Reynolds

Ceist:

130 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the regulations pertaining to the spreading of slurry on farmland. [6169/01]

Farmers participating in the rural environmental protection scheme are required to comply with detailed rules pertaining to the spreading of slurry on farmland. These rules, which form measure 1 of REPS, have regard to the recommendations of the Code of Good Agricultural Practice to Protect Waters from Pollution by Nitrates, published jointly in 1996 by my Department and the Department of the Environment and Local Government. Farmers in REPS are also prohibited from spreading slurry within 1.5 metres of hedgerows, on bird nesting sites during the nesting period or within 50 metres of any private dwelling, school grounds, public building or amenity area.

In the context of requirements for good farming practice as set out in the CAP Rural Development Plan, 2000-2006, farmers participating in the compensatory allowances and on-farm investment schemes, and transferees in the early retirement scheme, will be subject to rules governing the spreading of organic waste on farmland.

The 1996 Code of Good Agricultural Practice to Protect Waters from Pollution by Nitrates is a voluntary one but I commend it to all farmers. Under its recommendations, land spreading should be carried out as early as practicable in the growing season so as to maximise uptake of nutrients by the crop and minimise pollution risks. Where heavy rain is forecast within the next 48 hours slurry should not be applied. Spreading should also be avoided on wet or waterlogged land, on frozen or snow covered land or on land sloping steeply towards rivers, streams, lakes and exposed bedrock or in situations where there is a significant risk of causing water pollution.

The following buffer strips are recommended when spreading organic waste:

Buffer Strip(metres)

Streams and Drains

10

Lakes and Main River Channels

20

Domestic Wells

50

Public Water Supply Sources

50 – 300

In circumstances where local authority by-laws make specific provisions concerning the land spreading of slurry, compliance with any such by-laws is enforced by the local authority concerned.
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