DEAR EDITOR
A recent complaint about our farm alleged that we were spreading slurry during the closed season.
In fact, we were spraying. No slurry was being spread.
The incident highlights a growing concern: members of the public can readily look up farming rules and closed-season dates, but knowing the rules does not necessarily mean understanding the operation taking place in a field.
Seeing machinery working after the slurry deadline is not, in itself, evidence of wrongdoing. Before making an allegation, there should be some effort to establish what the machine is doing and whether the rule being cited actually applies.
We fully accept the need for environmental safeguards and the public’s right to report genuine concerns.
Responsible
However, that right should be exercised responsibly. An assumption presented as fact can cause unnecessary stress, take up time and put a farm’s reputation at risk.
Farmers are expected to know and follow the rules.
It is reasonable to ask that those making complaints take similar care to establish the facts.
Where practical, a simple enquiry could clear up a misunderstanding before it becomes an allegation.
