Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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225. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on proposals to change slurry spreading methods; if his attention has been drawn to the challenges that these changes will present for many persons, especially those on lower incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30563/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of recent media coverage and at the outset, it is important to note that the lead on this issue is the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment (DCCAE) as it relates to  the National Clean Air Strategy consultation which was open during March and April this year.

Within this context, the consultation document identified the main issues in relation to air quality and emission sources. It recognised that the spreading of slurry can, depending on the timing of the application and the weather conditions, result in nitrogen loss from slurry to the atmosphere through ammonia volatilisation. That Department will conduct a thorough examination of all submissions received as part of its consultation phase. No decision has been taken by this Department on a total ban. My Department continues to liase closely with colleagues in DCCAE on this matter.

Interestingly On foot of farmer demand to improve the utilisation of slurry as a fertiliser, my Department is assisting farmers under TAMS in the purchase of Low Emission Slurry Spreading equipment where to date 539 applications have been received for trailing shoe, 394 applications for the dribble bar and 14 applications for shallow injection. Overall across all low emissions technologies over 1,058 applications have been received which is above expectations.  In addition more than 4752 farmers have applied under the GLAS scheme to apply slurry using low emission equipment.

This is being driven by farmers themselves wanting to maximise the value of the slurry on their own farms, rather than as a regulatory requirement. Recently, the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors of Ireland also identified their support for this technology.

However, I fully understand that this technology is not suitable for all farms.