DEAR SIR: The assertion by the Irish Farmers Journal (10 June) on the front page under the heading “Shock new slurry rules” that the Minister for Environment Denis Naughten suggested “a future end date on the use of splash-plate slurry spreading” in a clean air public consultation last month is grossly inaccurate and misleading.

The consultation paper entitled ‘Cleaning Our Air’ was published earlier this year by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

Its purpose was to initiate discussion and ascertain the views of the various stakeholders.

As a consultation paper it did not indicate, prescribe or suggest any policy direction in relation to any of the sectors discussed therein - including agriculture.

As stated in the introduction to the consultation paper, a number of consultation questions were set out at the end of each chapter to facilitate a structured response and garner feedback.

At the end of the chapter on the agricultural sector, the question was posed ‘Should a future end date on the use of splash plate slurry spreading be considered following the completion of schemes to incentivise low-emission alternatives?’ This consultative question cannot be construed as a ‘suggestion’ or indeed a policy intent by myself or my Department – it is asked as an enabler to ascertain the views of relevant stakeholders.

How the Irish Farmers Journal managed to confuse a consultation question for a direct quotation from myself, truly beggars belief.

Is this what they call fake news? I have always had a long, close and professional relationship with the Irish Farmers Journal and I wish this to continue into the future.

However, I am very disappointed that this “story” was given such prominence.