Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development, Martin Kenny TD, has today called on the Minister to extend the deadline for spreading slurry.

Unpredictable weather patterns have impacted fodder harvesting and slurry spreading, which has left farmers in a race against the clock to empty their tanks and prepare for housing livestock for the winter.

Teachta Kenny said:

“The weather has had a severe impact on farming this summer, and the Department needs to give farmers a little bit of wriggle room here.

“The delay in grass growth during the spring meant that fodder harvesting was delayed. Along with the level of rainfall, this has in turn impacted the timing of slurry spreading.

“As the weather improved over the last week, farmers are now frantically trying to get fodder harvested and slurry spread.

“Today, I have written to the Minister asking him to extend the deadline for spreading slurry beyond the end of September. Of course no one can control the weather, however the Minister does have the ability to control the slurry spreading deadline.

“An extension to the current deadline would allow our farmers some much-needed time to get their tanks emptied and ready for the coming winter.

“Irish farming is continuously battling against the weather, and the last 12 months have been exceptionally challenging.

“Farmers need to get their sheds ready for housing livestock for the winter. The Minister and the department are duty-bound to support them, and in that regard I would implore them to assist our farmers by extending the deadline for spreading slurry while the weather permits it.”