Storage tanks must hold 10 days of soiled water
“There is no specific requirement for separate storage of soiled water at the moment, and in the vast majority of such cases this water simply goes into the slurry tank, which fills up quickly”, said Environment Department principal officer John Sadlier during last week’s Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food debate on the Directive.
“A slurry tank which was intended to cater for two or three months’ worth of water can fill up in a few weeks”, said Mr Sadlier.
“Minimising and collecting soiled water and spreading it evenly throughout the farm could be the key to solving one of the largest sources of pollution from farming.”
It was revealed in the debate that some REPS specifications will change to take account of the Nitrates Directive. REPS farmers will probably have until the anniversary of their REPS undertaking to comply. Environment Department officials said they want to agree Nitrates Directive regulations with the European Commission in the first half of this month, in order to advance Ireland’s application for a derogation.
Mr Sadlier said they are reasonably optimistic they will secure a Nitrates Directive derogation in mid-2006 allowing 250 kg per hectare of organic nitrogen.
Only Denmark has been granted a derogation so far, of 230 kg. The 250 kg derogation agreed with the Netherlands allowing per hectare has not yet been granted formally. Austria has applied for a 230 kg derogation.
Regulations being negotiated include:
* the definition of soiled water, which Irish officials say is too restrictive.
* minimum manure storage requirements - Irish officials want to expand the scope of reduced storage requirements allowed for out-wintering on extensive farms with relatively low stocking density.
* they will also “explore” a reduction in the buffer zones between land-spreading and water courses, springs and wells, which would increase the acreage available for spreading.
* nutrient content of pig manure - a mechanism whereby the actual content of pig manure will be reflected is proposed.
* Irish officials say they will also raise with the Commission the duration of the closed period for spreading fertiliser, particularly in the south west.
