While farmers have up to, but not including, 15 October to get slurry out, they must be careful they don’t breach cross compliance rules.

The heavy rain of the past month has seen cows housed in many parts along the western seaboard.

This will see farmers anxious to empty tanks before the deadline to ensure they do not come under pressure next spring.

However, farmers must know the rules when it comes to spreading slurry in the current conditions.

Farmers are not allowed to spread slurry where land is water logged.

The same applies for farmyard manure, soiled water or chemical fertiliser. You are not allowed to spread it where land is flooded or likely to flood.

More importantly, you are not allowed to spread it where heavy rain is forecast in the next 48 hours. You are required to check the weather forecast prior to spreading.

Where the slope of a field exceeds 10%, you are not permitted to spread, as there can be significant risk of causing pollution.

When you are deciding whether there is a risk, you must take into account how close you are to waters, what condition the soil is in, the ground cover and how much rainfall there is or how much is expected.

Over the past week, I have heard of cases of farmers spreading slurry, which is not only dangerously irresponsible, but could also have severe financial consequences.

If an applicant is found to be breaking these rules through negligence, they are at risk of a 3% cut to their Basic Payment Scheme funding.

This can be increased to 5% depending on the severity.

Where the non-compliance of the rules is deemed intentional, a sanction of 20% of their BPS can be applied.

This can be increased up to 100% depending on the seriousness of the breach.

Farmers must also note that the buffer zones along water courses increases for the two weeks prior to the closing date. From 1 October the buffer zone is 10m, instead of the standard 5m.