Rural TDs have come out against splash-plate slurry spreading restrictions considered under air pollution policy.

Roscommon-Galway Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice said: “Should the Government wish to pursue less and restrict or ban splash-plate slurry spreading then the cost for farmers and contractors of upgrading their equipment must be funded entirely through Government grants as to expect operators to upgrade perfectly good equipment in order to comply with new regulations is unreasonable,” he said.

Kerry Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae told the Irish Farmers Journal that replacing all splash plates with low-emission equipment such as trailing shoes would put “extreme financial pressure” on farmers and contractors.

The consultation paper from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment asked: “Should a future end date of the use of splash plate slurry spreading be considered following the completion of schemes to incentivise low-emission alternatives?”

In a statement to the Irish Farmers Journal, Minister Denis Naughten has clarified that “as a consultation paper it did not indicate, prescribe or suggest any policy direction in relation to any of the sectors discussed in it – including agriculture”.

Teagasc’s submission to the consultation concluded that at least 50% of Irish slurry should switch from splash plates to trailing shoes to meet Ireland’s EU ammonia emission targets.

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