Onus on farmers to manage pollution cross-compliance
Earthen banked lagoons, earth lined out-wintering pads, or reed beds, that do not have planning permission, or that are not certified by an engineer and built to specification, cannot be used to store slurry or soiled water. Farmers using such structures without the proper approval will be liable to a penalty of 20% on inspection by the Department of Agriculture, irrespective of the volume or type of material being stored in them.
This penalty applies to all unlined structures, except those that were built to DAFF specification with associated planning permission in recent times.
If structures lead to significant pollution, a 100% penalty may be applied.
*Most farmers will receive their bovine N&P statement for the first six months of 2011 in September. This is an important document, and should be read carefully. You should send a copy to your Teagasc adviser.
*If you import or export organic manures on to or off your farm, you must record this and send details to the Department of Agriculture by December 31, 2011. This is a major change from previous years — submission after December 31, 2011 will not be accepted.
*Effluent coming from round bales stored within a farmyard complex (even if on concrete, gravel or grass) must be collected and stored. Round bales may not be stored within 20 metres of a watercourse or water abstraction point (even within a farmyard complex), unless there are facilities for collecting and storing the effluent.
