Limerick City and County Council is reminding farmers and farm workers that the deadline for slurry spreading is fast approaching.
From Friday 15 October 2021 you will be no longer permitted to spread slurry on your lands.
This is known as the ‘Closed Period’ and runs from 15 October 2021 to 15 January 2022.
During the winter period when grass growth ceases (or is sub-optimal) the application of slurry to lands poses a significant risk to waters from nutrient run-off.
Where a case relating to inappropriate slurry spreading is brought to the Council’s attention, Limerick City and County Council will be obliged to investigate the matter.
Where, upon investigation, a case is deemed to be in breach of the Good Agricultural Practice Regulations – also known as The European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017 (as amended), the Council will be obliged to report the matter to the Department of Agriculture Food & Marine.
In such circumstances a significant fine may be imposed.
Slurry tanks must be fully emptied by Friday 15 October.
You are advised to check that extraneous waters (eg: clean water off buildings or clean water off open yards) is not directed to tanks as this can result in a significant reduction in slurry storage capacity.
Limerick City and County Council is also advising farmers to talk with their Agricultural Contractor to ensure that all slurry spreading operations will be carried out in compliance with the above regulations.
Slurry shall be spread only when ground conditions are suitable and where heavy rainfall is not forecast within 48 hours of spreading slurry.
The use of the umbilical system shall not be used to spread slurry when the soil is saturated or where spreading conditions are likely to pose a risk to waters.