Planning reform is part of the solution

Given the heavy rain that fell last weekend, it was not ideal it came only a few days after a lot of slurry was spread in the run-up to the end of the spreading season at midnight on 15 October.

The problem is that many farms just need to empty tanks in October in case of a wet spring in 2026.

If these farms had additional tank space, it would give more flexibility to spread slurry when ground is dry and plants are actively growing and able to take up nutrients. A similar argument could be put for lower stocked farms – if they had added slurry storage capacity, it would help to ensure nutrients are more evenly distributed, while taking some pressure off intensive farms during winter and spring months.

Will we ever see a grant scheme from DAERA to build more slurry storage on farms? The answer to that is probably not, but perhaps if the right conditions were attached, it is something that could be considered. There is sound logic to justify the right scheme.

Either way, we still have an elephant in the room – the inability of many farmers in NI to get through a planning application for a new slurry tank or manure storage facility because they are close to designated sites.

While we have to accept many sites are under pressure due to ammonia emissions from livestock housing, the current block on planning is often self-defeating, especially when it will actually lead to environment benefits.

A good example also relates to the whole issue of excess phosphorus (P) in NI farming.

The solution being supported by DAERA involves separating slurry and taking the solid fraction to an anaerobic digestion facility. The resultant digestate is then dried down and the P removed.

Key to this delivering the necessary reduction in overall surplus P is getting around 3,000 more intensive livestock farms in NI separating their slurry. But if farms close to designated sites want to invest in suitable facilities and equipment, they will need planning rules to be changed. Some bold decisions around planning issues are urgently required.