NEWS

Slurry date change after legal review
By Staff Reporter

THE Department of Agriculture has had to revise its understanding of the slurry spreading closed period on the back of legal advice.
Previously it has been assumed that no slurry could be spread between October 15 and January 31.
The dates are set by European regulations which have effect in Northern Ireland through the Nitrates Action Programme 2006 Regulations.
There are tough penalties for those caught breaking the rules, including a reduction in the Single Farm Payments and even, in the worse case scenario, up to two years in prison.
The rethink was caused after three farmers were discovered out spreading slurry on October 15 this year.
Northern Ireland Environment Agency representatives were sent out to the farms to gather evidence that the rules were being broken.
However, according to Environment Minister Edwin Poots, a query by a Fermanagh farmer caused the agency to seek legal guidance.
As a result, the period period for spreading slurry has been amended by a day to October 16-January 31 inclusive.
A question on the incidents were raised by Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott, deputy chairman of the Stormont Agriculture Committee, who asked how many farms had been visited by NIEA officials on October 15 this year to investigate the spreading of slurry on that day.
In reply, Mr Poots said: "Three farms were visited by staff from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) on 15 October 2009 to investigate the spreading of slurry on that day.
"However, in light of the query raised by your constituent, NIEA sought legal guidance on the interpretation of the Nitrates Action Programme (NI) 2006 Regulations (NAP Regulations).
"Although it has previously been interpreted by DARD and DOE staff that the closed period runs from 15 October to 31 January (inclusive), legal advice has defined that the closed period runs from 16 October to 31 January (inclusive).
"NIEA will write to the three individuals whose farms were visited on 15 October 2009 to advise them of this."


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November 20th 2009
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