I see that a major relaxation of the planning regulations pertaining to slurry storage is currently being considered by the Department of Housing.

Under the proposals farmers would be allowed to build free-standing slurry storage of 1,000 cubic metres or 220,000 gallons without planning.

The proposed changes are certainly a positive development, but The Dealer wonders if they are – in the words of the great Bob Dylan – a day late and a dollar short.

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What dairy farmer in his/her right mind would invest in additional slurry storage at the moment – and what bank would lend them the money – when they could be down 30 or 40 cows if the nitrates derogation goes west? These planning changes should have been introduced in 2015.