01 October 2009

By Alan Galbraith, Countryside Management Delivery Branch, DARD

The Nitrates Directive aims to protect water quality by ensuring the correct amount of nutrients are applied under favourable conditions and at a time that they can be used by growing crops or grass. One of the key requirements of the Nitrates Action Programme which assists in achieving this is the closed spreading period for organic manures.

The closed period prohibits organic manures, excluding farmyard manure and dirty water, from being spread between 15 October and 31 January.  This represents the time when the risk of nutrient leaching is at its highest and there is little or no plant growth.

Before the closed period begins, you should aim to empty tanks completely to make sure that you maximise your storage capacity as winter approaches.  Remember that manures can only ever be applied when conditions are suitable.  There must be no spreading when the soil is waterlogged, flooded (or likely to flood), frozen, snow covered, if heavy rain is forecast or where land is steeply sloping with a significant risk of water pollution occurring. Also ensure that you keep your distance from waterways and apply to within 10m of a watercourse, 20m of a lake and 50m of a borehole, spring or well.

All farmers are required to have at least 22 weeks storage for their livestock enterprises.  Pigs and poultry enterprises require a minimum of 26 weeks. By having enough tank capacity you will be able to store until the closed period has ended and in addition, have flexibility in the timing of application if conditions are unfavourable in early spring.

More information about the Nitrates Action Programme, is available from your local Countryside Management Delivery Branch staff or the Rural NI website.

Notes to Editors

All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619.