Under the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Water Regulations it is not permitted to apply slurry by means of a rain gun or an upward trajectory splash-plate as these application methods do not provide for an efficient and accurate application of slurry. Slurry may only be applied by means of a downward trajectory splash-plate or by low emission slurry spreading (LESS) equipment.
Implementation of the Nitrates Directive falls under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. Under the Directive, closed periods are required for the application of chemical and also organic fertiliser such as slurry. Under Ireland’s NAP the closed period for the spreading of slurry commences on 15 October and ends between 12–31 January, depending on location.
Research, including that from the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP), has found that there are disproportionate high nutrient losses to waters during winter months when grass and crop growth has ceased and high rainfall is a probability. The current closed period coincides with the time when the risks of losses to water are the highest. The closed period was agreed after extensive public consultation including discussions with farming bodies.
There is no flexibility as regards the dates of the closed period.
