Farmers are being asked to take care when spreading slurry or making silage this year by Inland Fisheries Ireland after a suspect silage pollution incident in Claremorris last week.

Up to 1,000 brown trout died and farmers are being warned that effluent from continuing agricultural activity could result in another pollution incident.

The dilution capacity of many rivers has been affected as rivers run low during the warm summer months, which can increase the likelihood of fish dying.

Irish farmers have come under increased scrutiny over water quality in recent months as the Department of Housing in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture have launched a fresh wave of water quality inspections.

The advice from Inland Fisheries Ireland to farmers is as follows:

  • Use round bales as the most environmentally friendly way to store silage.
  • If a silage pit is being used, ensure it is properly sealed to prevent leakage from under the slab.
  • Carry out slurry spreading in dry weather and never when heavy rain is forecast.
  • Never spread slurry close to a watercourse. Be aware of the slope of land to the watercourse.
  • Do not clean tanks beside any watercourse, stream or a river.
  • Do not allow any effluent or washings to enter any rainwater gully.

    • Read more

    Satellites inspecting farms – what can they see?

    Scramble for Japanese knotweed disposal sites