Macra is calling on Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to allow a window of opportunity for slurry spreading during the closed period to allow those farmers who have not been able to spread slurry before 15 October to empty their slurry tanks, if required.

Speaking about the current situation, Macra na Feirme national president Seán Finan said: ‘‘In the past, extensions to the slurry-spreading calendar have been applied. However should poor weather conditions continue, an extension will not deliver the desired outcome. If a flexible approach was applied, in the event of an opportune period of ideal slurry spreading conditions occurring, farmers could more efficiently spread their slurry and relieve tank storage problems.’’

The spreading of slurry in certain areas of the country, especially western counties, will have a disastrous effect on farmland due to wet ground and heavy machinery. Worsening weather conditions are forcing many farmers to house animals early to prevent the poaching of land. As a result, farmers’ plans for slurry storage for the winter are being compromised.

Slurry spreading while the ground is waterlogged or wet weather is forecast is also prohibited. The availability of contractors who are trying to salvage other crops due to the poor weather is also adding to the pressure to spread before the closing date. All circumstances combined, the current situation has left many farmers under extreme pressure and panic-stricken. Not all regions of the country require assistance, therefore Macra feels a flexible approach must be locally aimed and permission granted on a case-by-case basis. Considering there are many Met Éireann weather observation stations in place across the country, a local approach assisted by local weather stations is possible.

Macra ag affairs chair James Barber added: ‘‘Farmers are well aware of the storage tank requirements and the length of storage periods they are supposed to have in place. However, due to the unprecedented and ever-changing weather patterns, exceptions must be allowed. Delays to TAMS approvals have also added to the problem as some farmers have not been able to expand their storage capacity.’’