Farmers need bailout to liquidate slurry stocks

LIVESTOCK farmers require a major bailout in order to liquidate the large stocks of animal slurry that have built up as a result of the dismal summer and autumn.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith and Environment Minister John Gormley decided last Friday to extend the land-spreading credit crunch deadline by two weeks to October 31.

Commentators estimate that, with current soil conditions and forecasts, this extension will not be adequate to allow farmers to fertilise needy fields.