Upper and Lower Lough Erne with its 200 miles of foreshore forms the backbone of County Fermanagh. Its value in terms of tourism and amenity is unquestionable.

Many sectors, including agriculture, have their part to play in improving the quality of our water. Wherever you live in Northern Ireland, it is important to remember that whether or not you are close to a Lough, the sheughs and streams on your farm feed into much larger bodies of water.

Silage effluent is one of the most potent sources of pollution on the farm and is 200 times more polluting than untreated sewage. On entering a waterway, it causes the oxygen to be rapidly removed from the water with devastating effects on animal and plant life.

Many people do not realise that there is a risk of silage effluent escaping from baled silage. If you plan to store baled silage in your fields certain conditions must apply. The bales must not be stored within 10m of a waterway (including sheughs and field drains) or 50m of a borehole. These rules form part of The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003, commonly referred to as SSAFO. This rule is designed to reduce the risk of silage effluent accidentally entering any nearby waterway in the case of a spill or rupture of any silage bales.

When choosing a storage site, ensure that it is level and carefully assess the potential polluting risk to a waterway. If bales are stored on concrete, the effluent must be collected in the same way as effluent from a silage pit. Where possible, grass should be wilted to at least 25% dry matter before baling; however the success of wilting depends on weather conditions at the time. This ensures effluent production is minimised and is a contributing factor in achieving good silage preservation.

When it comes to using your baled silage, remember that it must not be opened within 10m of a waterway (including field drains and sheughs). Care should be taken to ensure that the residual effluent contained in the removed wrap does not escape to a waterway. Remember to dispose of bale wrap in accordance with the Waste Management Regulations.

More information about storing and using your baled silage is available in the revised ‘Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the prevention of pollution of Water, Air and Soil’, from your local Countryside Management Delivery Branch staff or online at www.dardni.gov.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

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