Minister says 'science is clear' early slurry application reduces nutrients losses
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has promised to continue monitoring the current situation in respect to fertiliser and slurry spreading dates.
Deputy Martin Kenny asked the minister if his department will review the rules regarding the cut-off dates and start dates for spreading fertiliser and slurry.
The Sinn Féin TD for Sligo-Leitrim said that the weather in recent years “has not been compatible with the dates for spreading fertiliser and slurry”.
Farmers had until September 15 to spread chemical fertiliser. They now have until October 1 to spread slurry and November 1 to spread farmyard manure (FYM).
Recently, the Irish Beef and Lamb Association (IBLA) also called on Minister Heydon to consult with Teagasc and other stakeholders to "determine without undue delay why an extension to 30 days to all imminent nitrates dates this year should not be agreed".
Closed periods
In response to Deputy Kenny, Minister Heydon said: “The closed periods referred to are set out in legislation enacted by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, commonly known as the Nitrates Regulations or the Good Agriculture Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations.
“Those regulations also set out the circumstances when nutrient application is prohibited during the open spreading period.
“I work closely with Minister Browne on the Nitrates Action Programme and the associated regulations.”
The agriculture minister acknowledged that weather conditions this year presented “significant challenges for many farmers”, especially due to the drought experienced during the summer over much of the south and south-east of the country.
Minister Heydon added: “My department has had ongoing engagement with Teagasc, farm organisations and the wider industry, including through the National Fodder and Food Security Committee and the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group with regard to grass growth and the fodder situation on farms.
“Now that we have rain and grass is growing, the science is clear that the earlier nutrients are applied to land, the better the response will be in terms of producing forage and the lower the risk of nutrient losses to water."
HE added that Teagasc's Agricultural Catchments Programme has provided "clear research" highlighting that the closed period aligns with the "period of highest risk for nutrient loss from agricultural land".
Slurry and chemical fertiliser
Minister Heydon said that, as advised by Teagasc, slurry and chemical fertiliser should be spread when the potential for nitrogen losses is low and the uptake of nutrients by a growing crop is high.
He added: “These conditions typically occur in the spring, and not the autumn, where reducing sunshine hours increasingly limit growth and increase the risk of nutrient loss.
“Indeed, during the winter, regardless of how good weather or soil conditions may be, short daylight hours limit growth and the ability of crops to take up nutrients.
“I will continue to monitor the current situation in respect of closing dates."
The minister also said that he will continue to engage with stakeholders on this issue.
