Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the REP scheme deadline for spreading slurry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36237/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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For participants in REPS 4, the prohibited period for spreading slurry begins on 15 October. The corresponding date laid down in REPS 3 is 31 August, but I announced on 24 August that in view of the exceptional weather conditions during the summer I was bringing this into line with REPS 4. This is the same as the date on which the prohibited period begins for all farmers under the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations. These Regulations are a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government.