The nitrates section of the Department of Agriculture has confirmed that over 400 farmers have sought permission to spread slurry after the 15 October deadline, though this number is expected to rise before the closing date on Saturday.

On Monday, the Irish Farmers Journal revealed that a blanket extension had been ruled out. However, farmers still had the option to apply for an extension granted on a case-by-case basis.

Last year, roughly 80 farmers were granted an extension to spread slurry after the deadline.

Weather

The number of farmers applying for an individual extension this year is testament to the dire straits many farmers find themselves in, with prolonged poor weather conditions forcing farmers to house stock early and preventing them from getting slurry out to their fields.

In particular, counties in the northwest of Ireland have experienced heavy rainfall since August, with Donegal subjected to flash-flooding and fodder loss.

Inspection

Farmers who are granted an extension to spread slurry will be “prioritised for inspection in the immediate future, to ensure compliance with the nitrates regulations”.

This threat of inspection will put many farmers off applying for an extension and increase the chances of slurry going out on wet and unsuitable land.

The IFA environment chair, Thomas Cooney, has already called on the Department to review its inspection plans, saying farmers should not be penalised for trying to deal with slurry and manure responsibly.

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