As the closed period for the application of organic fertilisers comes to an end on the 15th January Limerick City and County Council would like to remind farmers of the following:
1. Buffer Zones: Slurry & Soiled water spreading distance from waters:
- 5m from open drain or stream, extends to 10m for the 2 weeks before & after the closed period.
- 10m from open drain or stream with steep sloped lands (10% or greater).
- 15m from a karst limestone feature.
- 20m from a lake shoreline or turlough likely to flood
2. Umbilical Systems: The umbilical system must not be used to spread slurry or soiled water on saturated soils or when conditions pose a risk to water quality.
3. Appropriate Conditions: Slurry, FYM, and soiled water should only be spread when ground conditions are appropriate and heavy rainfall is not expected within 48 hours.
4. The use of Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) is now compulsory as of the 1st January 2025 on all farms stocked at 100kgN/ha or above.
5. Consult Your Contractor: If utilising the services of an Agricultural Contractor for spreading please consult with the Contractor to ensure they comply with the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2025.
6. Consult with your Agricultural Advisor to get the most benefit out of your slurry application to your land.
7. The closed period for the application of chemical fertilisers comes to an end on the 29th January.
8. Any complaint or non-compliance notified to Limerick City and County Council will be investigated. Any breaches of the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2025 can lead to financial penalties to your single farm payment.
LCCC thank you for your cooperation in adhering to the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2025 in order to protect and restore our water quality.