Farmers urged to discuss slurry spreading issues with Department

Farmers in Donegal who are concerned about breaching regulations concerning the spreading of slurry are being asked to contact the Nitrates Section of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
They are being urged to submit queries by Saturday 14 October, at the latest, to avail of some flexibility with regards to the spreading of slurry.
Findings from the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) operated by Teagasc support the current closed periods in Ireland.
A key message from the research is that there are disproportionately high nutrient losses to waters during the winter and the current closed period coincides with the time during which risks of incidental nutrient losses to water are highest.
Farmers are advised to spread slurry early in the season when growth and nutrient uptake are at their peak.
It is recognised that there may be some potential concerns for animal welfare arising from heavy rainfall in specific parts of the country (the north west in particular) and farmers with such concerns are advised to contact the Nitrates Section of the Department of Agriculture.
Such contact should be made by Saturday 14 October at the latest as the closed period commences on Sunday 15 October.