News
11th September 09
9/11/2009
Ulster Unionist MLA, Tom Elliott has called for a review of the closed period for Slurry spreading with a view to reducing it for this year, after weather conditions seriously hampered the ability of local farmers across Northern Ireland to get slurry spr
Elliott calls for reduced closed period for Slurry
Ulster Unionist MLA, Tom Elliott has called for a review of the closed period for Slurry spreading with a view to reducing it for this year, after weather conditions seriously hampered the ability of local farmers across
In a statement, the Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative said: “The current situation is that organic manures, not including farmyard manure and dirty water, must not be applied between 15 October and 31 January. However, these dates do not take into account the absolutely woeful weather we have experienced throughout this summer period. At a time when many farmers should be getting their slurry tanks emptied, the reality is that cattle have to be housed when it normally wouldn’t be the case and tanks are actually getting fuller. Although the last few days of weather have been improved the long term poor conditions have resulted with a very different situation than would be expected at this time of year.”
“This is why I and my colleagues in the Ulster Unionist Party are calling for an application to be made by the Northern Ireland Executive for a derogation to reduce the closed period for this year. If the dates were amended appropriately to take into account the unseasonable weather it would benefit local farmers greatly. I have said many times that the principal responsibility of Government is to ensure that the people we serve see the benefit of what we do in helping the various sectors of our society run efficiently and effectively. Farmers on the ground are telling me that they need more time to work with their slurry and the onus is now on the Minister and her Department to recognise this need and take the necessary action by extending the closed period.”
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