13th January, 2012

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) national president Gabriel Gilmartin has said that farmers in the Zone C counties must be allowed to begin slurry spreading immediately.  Under the Nitrates Directive, these farmers are not permitted to spread slurry until 1st February.

“These farmers, in Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan are prevented from taking advantage of the good weather forecast for the rest of the week by mindless bureaucracy.  They were also caught out with very poor weather in the latter half of 2011 and even though there was an extension to October 31st, this was of no use due to inclement weather at the time.

“I am calling for derogation for the farmers in Zone C to be allowed to begin spreading immediately.  This is now an animal welfare issue with the risk of slurry coming up through the slats in some cases.  We must take the worry out of slurry.”