‘Calendar farming doesn’t work’

Councillors may consider a submission to alter limitations in respect of slurry spreading when the Nitrates Action Plan comes up for review in early 2025, including a suggestion that councils be allowed to dictate the open and closing dates in their respective areas.

“Calendar farming doesn't work in this country and certainly not in this county,” Sinn Féin's Damien Brady suggested, while calling on the local authority to write to Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, to re-consider the date for the slurry closed season.

The permitted period for slurry spreading ends September 30 with farmers due to have their tanks emptied before this date.

However, inclement weather once again has caused farmer's grief, said Cllr Brady, and it was the same situation last year when the minister, under massive pressure, agreed to an extension of the slurry spreading period.

Cllr Brady contended there is “no reason” farmers should be held back from slurry spreading in October “if the conditions are right”.

His motion was supported by Fine Gael's Winston Bennett, a dairy farmer, who also purported that “calendar farming doesn't work”. Speaking as he looked out the council chamber window at blue skies on Monday, Cllr Bennett said: “There wasn't as good a day in April as that.”

Fianna Fáil's John Paul Feeley also agreed. He said there is a need to look at regulation, adding that it's unfair how a “small number” who did not abide but current rules are holding “the rest to ransom”.

Independent Brendan Fay said it's important farmers are supported on this matter, and they be allowed to continue to create produce celebrated as “some of the best in the world”.

Fianna Fáil's Áine Smith meanwhile was hopeful that her party colleague, Minister McConalogue, might yet accede to an extension.

Director of Services, Paddy Connaughton, highlighted the opportunity that arises in terms of the Nitrates Action Plan, which comes up for review every four years.

Minister McConalogue previously stated that new measures introduced in the fifth iteration of the plan target a reduction in nutrient loss.

The government, meanwhile, has committed to retaining Ireland’s nitrates derogation.

Mr Connaughton said that a motion - seeking the power for local authorities to decide on whether to grant an extension - would be brought forward at the council's Strategic Policy Committee meeting on the environment.

He said whatever proposal came from that would then be brought to the council chamber proper “for approval”.