Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

People in rural Ireland, particularly the farming community, are very concerned about the date for the end of slurry spreading by farmers and contractors. It is impossible to do it within the time allowed. We have had a reasonably good summer in my part of the country, but in the west and in other areas, it has not been good. There has been an enormous amount of rainfall in recent weeks.

It is impossible to spread within the time allowed. To do so would be wasteful, damaging and threatening to the environment. Farmers will not do it now anyway. It would be of no benefit as it would run off. I tabled a parliamentary question on this issue and was told that the date will not be extended. The closing date is ridiculous. It should never have been agreed by the then Minister, former Deputy Dick Roche, and the IFA many years ago. It is not workable. Surely, it should be based on the climatic conditions. That is what farmers and contractors want. I ask the Minister, please, to extend the date.

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