Urgent call for extension to slurry spreading deadline due to adverse weather conditions

In light of the relentless bad weather and excessive rain, rural TDs Marian Harkin, Michael Fitzmaurice, and Michael McNamara are urgently calling upon the Minister for Agriculture to extend the slurry spreading deadline to the middle of October. They say immediate action is required for the well-being of Irish farmers.

"Recent images from the ploughing championships on prime land highlight that the weather has been less than forgiving. If conditions are this difficult on prime farmland, imagine the challenges faced by farmers on marginal land,” said the Deputies in a statement. “The Minister has the discretion to extend the deadline and must act swiftly to relieve farmers of this burden.

“Environmental and safety concerns are at the forefront. It's not only about easing the load on our farmers; it's about ensuring that slurry spreading doesn't put our watercourses at risk from runoff. By forcing farmers to spread in poor conditions to meet a deadline, we are flirting with farmers being blamed for contamination of watercourses, when this is the last thing any responsible farmer wants," Fitzmaurice emphasised.

“Farmers are under immense pressure, balancing the demands of their livelihoods with stewardship of the land. An extension would not only alleviate immediate pressures but would also allow farmers to plan more strategically for the months ahead.”

Deputy Fitzmaurice strongly urges the Minister to use his discretion to extend the slurry spreading deadline: “Action is needed now, not when it is a day late and euro short.”