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There will be no extension to the slurry spreading deadline, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.
The closed period began at midnight and lasts until 12 January in Zone A counties, 15 January in Zone B counties and 31 January in Zone C counties.
Discussions had still been ongoing on Monday evening between Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy. However, an extension has not materialised.
Heavy rain has severally disrupted slurry spreading. There has been above-average rainfall around the country and many soils are waterlogged.
On Monday, Met Éireann issued a status yellow rainfall warning and there have been several incidents of local flooding.
'Common sense'
Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has said that Government ministers needed to “cop on and grant an extension to the slurry spreading deadline”.
“Common sense needs to prevail in order to give farmers a chance to get some slurry spread. Otherwise, it will turn into an animal welfare issue in a couple of weeks when tanks are at capacity,” he said.
The IFA has also called for the deadline to be extended. IFA president Joe Healy said some farmers had been unable to spread for a number of weeks and in some cases months.
Northern Ireland
The closed period for slurry spreading in Northern Ireland begins on Wednesday 16 October. The Irish Farmers Journal also understands there will be no extension granted in NI.
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