Minister must apply common sense and revise slurry spreading ban: MP

In correspondence sent to the Minister in early October, the MP outlined that after prolonged wet weather and poor ground conditions farmers were prevented from making full use of the remaining days before the statutory closed period came into force on 15th October.

Responding to her email, Minister Muir refused to support any change to the existing arrangements, stating that Northern Ireland had not experienced weather conditions severe enough to significantly restrict agricultural productivity.

He also pointed to the absence of any provision within the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) to vary the statutory dates administratively, while highlighting the exceptional circumstances provisions which can be considered on an individual basis.

Ms Lockhart said: “I am disappointed, although not surprised, by the Minister’s response. It demonstrates a lack of understanding of the practical challenges facing farmers and agricultural contractors, not only within my constituency, but right across Northern Ireland.

“I spoke to farmers and contractors at this week’s inaugural Slurry Live event at the Eikon Centre near Lisburn. “Everyone is frustrated by DAERA’s calendar farming regulations. We’ve had two weeks of dry weather and ideal slurry spreading conditions, but because of the rules everything is at a standstill between now and the 1st February 2027 when the ban expires.”

She added: “The weather and ground conditions in the run-up to 15th October were far from favourable for slurry spreading. Farmers were faced with persistent rainfall and waterlogged farmland, making it difficult, and in many cases impossible, to utilise the final days of the permitted spreading season.

“Since then, with the exclusion of the recent storms, Northern Ireland has subsequently experienced a relatively dry and settled period, providing more favourable conditions for farmers to get slurry out onto their land."

The MP continued: “Farmers understand the importance of protecting water quality. No responsible farmer wants to spread slurry in conditions where it could run off into waterways. They realise it is more beneficial for the land to spread slurry during periods of settled dry weather.

“There is a fundamental difference between having sensible environmental safeguards and enforcing rigid calendar dates regardless of the actual weather and ground conditions.”

Carla Lockhart MP continued: “The Minister is under the impression that Northern Ireland didn’t experience weather severe enough to significantly restrict agricultural productivity.

“I would suggest he spends some time listening to farmers who have been battling the elements and trying to manage their businesses in exceptionally challenging conditions.

“With planning permission heavily curtailed, many farmers can’t increase slurry storage capacity, and therefore, need to empty their slurry tanks before the slurry ban and the winter housing period begins.

“It is not good enough to point to exceptional circumstances which require individual farmers to demonstrate that compliance was impossible and that no reasonable alternative existed. This is not a practical, or sensible solution, for a recurring annual problem."

Ms Lockhart added: “Farmers need a more flexible, evidence-based approach which recognises that weather patterns are changing and field conditions can vary considerably across Northern Ireland

“I am not suggesting that environmental protections should be ignored or that slurry should be spread during unfavourable conditions. Quite the opposite. We should be encouraging farmers to spread when ground conditions are right, rather than relying exclusively on fixed calendar dates.

“The Minister must engage meaningfully with the farming industry on a revision of the rules, or some mechanism for greater flexibility where local weather and ground conditions justify it. A more practical approach would be to allow farmers to use their experience and discretion.”

The MP concluded: “Farmers should be supported in doing the right thing for the environment, not placed in an impossible position by regulations that fail to reflect the reality on the ground.

“Common sense should prevail. We need regulations that work for farmers and the environment, rather than simply enforcing unworkable dates.”