Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

345. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider extending the period to spread slurry given that the inclement weather has prevented farmers from completing the task; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54109/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is no regulatory provision to exempt slurry spreading in the closed period beyond the 15th October.

I have, in consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, set out scientific criteria to consider before granting an exemption to the closed period for slurry spreading under the Good Agricultural Practice Regulations. This exemption can only be applied up until the 15th October to reduce the closed period for slurry spreading from the 8th of October in 2022 and from the 1st of October in 2023.

For 2022, the closed period started on the 8th October and the maximum exemption available, subject to granting was for one week (from the 8th October to the 15th October). I did not receive any requests in the lead up to the closed period this year.

From 2023 onwards the closed period will start on the 1st October and the maximum exemption available will be for two weeks from the 1st October to the 15th October.

Further information on the criteria to be applied is available at this link: assets.gov.ie/233074/e5542381-4aa0-4aff-9b65-d9501f00eace.pdf