The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
(DAERA) has today issued advice to farmers as the closed
spreading period comes into effect from midnight tonight.
A DAERA spokesperson said: “The closed spreading period comes
into force from midnight 15 October 2018 and runs until 31
January 2019. It is a mandatory requirement of the Nitrates
Directive and the ultimate aim is to protect water courses from
pollution.
“The closed period prohibits organic manures, including slurry,
poultry litter, sewage sludge and abattoir waste, from being
spread from 15 October to 31 January. Farmyard manure must not be
applied from midnight 31 October to 31 January. These
periods represent the time when the risk of nutrient leaching is
at its highest and there is little or no plant growth.
“All farmers are required to have at least 22 weeks slurry/manure
storage for their livestock enterprises. Pigs and poultry
enterprises require a minimum of 26 weeks. Having enough tank
capacity gives the ability to store organic manure until the
closed period has ended and have flexibility in the timing of
spreading if conditions are unfavourable in early spring.
“However under exceptional circumstances, beyond the control of
and not foreseeable by an individual farmer, a limited amount of
slurry can be spread during the closed period. If slurry
must be spread during this time, evidence must be available to
demonstrate to NIEA that all reasonable steps were taken to
manage the situation, and that there was no
alternative.
“If slurry has to be spread under exceptional circumstances, it
should be on low-risk land and all usual spreading conditions
followed. Tanks should not be emptied. Only enough
slurry should be spread to leave adequate storage for the
remainder to the closed period.”
If farmers have concerns they are advised to contact DAERA on
0300 200 7842 or their local farming organisation.
Download guidance on the Nitrates Action programme 2015-18
from http://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/2015-2018-nitrates-action-programme-and-phosphorus-regulations-and-associated-documents
