Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’ Donovan has welcomed the announcement that the Slurry Spreading deadline has been extended from the 31st October to the 16th November. It is one of a number of measures announced this morning by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan T.D., in consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The measures are aimed to alleviate the difficulties experienced by livestock and tillage farmers due to unprecedented wet weather experienced during the summer and autumn of 2012.
“Today’s announcement will greatly assist farmers in light of the very difficult weather conditions that have persisted throughout and since the summer. These conditions have led to a situation where animals had to be housed and farmers, who would otherwise have sufficient storage for the manures produced on-farm, now find that they have insufficient storage capacity for the closed period ahead.”
Farmers will be allowed to spread enough slurry to ensure they will have sufficient capacity until the closed period. This spreading can take place up to Friday 16 November 2012. Additionally there will be an earlier ending of the closed period, which will allow farmers in Limerick to spread slurry from 1 January 2013 subject to spreading conditions being suitable.
“These measures this will allow farmers to maximise the value of slurry through early Spring application and not be forced to spread all their slurry now. It is important to point out that farmers wishing to avail of this spreading concession in the period 1 to 16 November must notify the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in advance”.
“These measures are practical and pragmatic solutions to assist farmers in greatest need overcome the weather related difficulties experienced in recent months. They will no doubt alleviate the much stress and worry that farmers are under at present”.