Macra calls on Government to extend spreading dates for slurry

MACRA na Feirme has called on government departments to stop hiding behind European Union directives and extend the spreading dates for slurry and farmyard manure.

Michael Gowing, president, urged the departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Environment, Heritage and Local Government to announce the extension now rather than later to allow farmers to plan their nutrient management. Mr Gowing said dates selected by both departments are ridiculous as farming to dates has nothing to do with being environmentally friendly or practical. He said Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith has every reason to extend the spreading dates to December 1 at a minimum. The current deadline is October 15.

“Weather patterns are changing. We are getting wetter summers and drier winters and the grass growth is maintained into the winter months,” he said, noting there are two different spreading dates north and south of the border. Mr Gowing said farmers need to be allowed scope to spread nutrients when weather permits and not be rushing out to meet calendar deadlines that do not reflect the realities of farming.