Following a meeting with Department of the Environment officials, the ICMSA president John Comer has expressed confidence that the Department officials do not envisage the banning of splash plates and the continued use of them is now accepted by officials on the basis of the nature and structure of Irish farming.

Earlier in June, the Irish Farmers Journal revealed that farmers and contractors face the prospect of a total ban on splash plates.

This and other restrictions could cost the industry tens of millions of euros per year if Ireland is to meet its ammonia emissions targets.

Ireland must bring its ammonia emissions 5% below 2005 levels by 2030 under EU health legislation. Agriculture is responsible for 98% of Irish ammonia, mostly from cattle slurry.

Minister for the Environment Denis Naughten suggested “a future end date on the use of splash-plate slurry spreading” in a clean air public consultation last month.

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ICMSA President John Comer said that ending the use of splash plates would present an insurmountable problem for many small family farms in rural Ireland.