Rules on slurry spreading relaxed after rain

Following the sustained spell of extremely wet weather, in which up to a month’s rain fell in just one day in parts of Yorkshire, Defra has announced that it has instructed the Rural Payments Agency to take into account Environment Agency guidance for farmers with livestock.

This allows the spreading of slurry as a last resort during the first two weeks of the normal closed periods.

The guidance stipulates that contingency plans must be in place to deal with excess slurry.

The NFU is now urging its members to first make use of all other alternatives. This will be taken into account by the RPA during inspections to decide if spreading was appropriate.

Fines and other sanctions can be issued should farmers not comply with the guidance.

NFU head of policy services Andrew Clark said: “This is a welcome but very delayed announcement given that the NFU first raised concerns with Defra and EA in mid-July at our members’ request.

“The announcement provides a pragmatic way forward that will allow farmers in greatest need and who have followed good practice, to spread slurry and manures before winter. We are pleased Defra expects the Environment Agency to apply the NVZ rules flexibly and with discretion following what has been an exceptional summer’s weather.

“The statement makes clear that farmers cannot spread slurry without risk of breaching cross compliance rules, but rather that evidence of good practice and having in place the statutory minimum of storage constraint should be taken into account by EA at inspection.”