Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if farmers will be permitted to spread slurry until mid-November this year due to the exceptionally wet August and September and the resulting difficulties associated with these months of heavy rainfall and the very wet conditions since the extension to 31 October, which was announced recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31547/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Good agricultural practice involves the application of fertilisers as early as practicable in the growing season in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution risks to water.

I have extended the period during which slurry could be spread, up to and including 31 October 2011, in recognition of the adverse weather experienced in Ireland during the month of September in particular. This arrangement has been put in place, as an exceptional measure, following consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I am not prepared to consider a further extension to the period for spreading slurry.