‘Ban on November slurry spreading is nonsense’ says ICSA president

BARRING slurry spreading in November when the weather has been ideal is nonsense, said Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) president Gabriel Gilmartin.

The ICSA leader said the good weather since the start of November highlights the stupidity of farming by calendar dates. Farmers are frustrated that they were permitted to spread slurry in September and October when conditions were unsuitable, but are now barred.

Mr Gilmartin said: “This whole fiasco again highlights how the Nitrates rules are not in tune with reality when it comes to slurry spreading. Apart from the need for ground conditions to be suitable for travelling, grass growth has continued throughout the autumn and there are no signs yet of severe frost that would end the grass-growing season.