Written answer
Departmental Schemes
The Minister cited scientific evidence supporting current spreading restrictions, while acknowledging weather challenges and committing to monitor dates and consult stakeholders.
976. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will review the rules regarding the cut of dates and start dates for spreading fertiliser and slurry as the weather in recent years has not been compatible with the dates for spreading fertiliser and slurry. [64198/26]
Comment on this
The closed periods referred to are set out in legislation enacted by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD, commonly known as the Nitrates Regulations or the Good Agriculture Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations. Those regulations also set out the circumstances when nutrient application is prohibited during the open spreading period.
I work closely with Minister Browne on the Nitrates Action Programme and the associated regulations.
Weather conditions this year have presented significant challenges for many farmers, in particular due to the drought experienced during the summer over much of the south and southeast of the country.
My Department has had ongoing engagement with Teagasc, farm organisations and the wider industry, including through the National Fodder and Food Security Committee and the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group with regard to grass growth and the fodder situation on farms. Now that we have rain and grass is growing, the science is clear that the earlier nutrients are applied to land, the better the response will be in terms of producing forage and the lower the risk of nutrient losses to water.
Teagasc's Agricultural Catchments Programme has provided clear research highlighting that the closed period aligns with the period of highest risk for nutrient loss from agricultural land.
As advised by Teagasc, slurry and chemical fertiliser should be spread when the potential for Nitrogen losses is low and the uptake of nutrients by a growing crop is high. These conditions typically occur in the Spring, and not the Autumn, where reducing sunshine hours increasingly limit growth and increase the risk of nutrient loss. Indeed, during the Winter, regardless of how good weather or soil conditions may be, short daylight hours limit growth and the ability of crops to take up nutrients.
I will continue to monitor the current situation in respect of closing dates. I will also continue to engage with stakeholders on this issue.