10 OCTOBER 2017

ICSA rural development chairman Seamus Sherlock has said he is outraged that farmers wishing to apply for an exemption to spread slurry after the October 15 deadline will face the increased threat of inspections. “This is the definition of sneaky terms and conditions. Farmers desperate to avail of flexibility this year will unfairly become a priority category for inspections not only this year but in future years also, according to a statement from the Department of Agriculture.”

“The land is saturated and farmers’ hands are tied. Flexibility should be about giving farmers the time to safely do what needs to be done. Calendar farming is always difficult with unpredictable weather conditions and when conditions make slurry spreading impossible farmers are left in an impossible situation.”

“With the prospect of increased inspections and possible penalties department officials are in effect ratcheting up the pressure on farmers. The result is that farmers may opt to spread slurry in conditions that are far from ideal. Panic spreading of slurry in the coming days in wet conditions is not in anyone’s interest. The risk of farm accidents is also increased by unworkable deadlines.”

ENDS