Closed Spreading Period For Organic Manure

Applying nutrients to grass or crops that are not growing can lead to these valuable nutrients being leached into waterways.

One of the main measures within the Nitrates Action Programme is to prevent the application of fertilisers containing nitrogen during the months when the risk of leaching is highest. This period is called the closed spreading period.

Organic manures, excluding farmyard manure and dirty water, must not be applied from 15 October to 31 January. Organic manures include livestock manure and other organic wastes for example abattoir waste, residues from fish farms and sewage sludge.

As the closed period for organic manure is linked to the minimum livestock manure storage requirement capacity both these Action Programme measures are introduced on a phased basis. The measure relating to the closed spreading period applies from the date you have the appropriate storage (either 26 weeks for pig and poultry enterprises, or 22 weeks for other enterprises) in place, or at the latest by 31 December 2008. It must be noted however, that all other conditions for application of organic manures have applied to all farmers since the Action Programme Regulations came into operation on 1 January 2007.

Remember - you still have a duty to prevent water pollution. You should ensure sufficient storage provision is available so that livestock manure is not applied when adverse weather and soil conditions exist. For example, when soil is waterlogged, flooded or likely to flood, frozen, snow covered, if rain is forecast within the next 48 hours, or where land is steeply sloping with an average incline of 20 percent or more spreading shall not take place. You have a duty to prevent the entry of any fertilisers to waters and ensure application is accurate, uniform and not in a location or manner likely to cause entry to waters.

Inspection and enforcement of the Nitrates Action Programme is carried out by Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), an agency within the Department of the Environment. All farmers claiming Single Farm Payment are required to meet Cross Compliance conditions. The Nitrates Directive is part of these conditions.

Further information and advice on the Nitrates Action Programme is available from Countryside Management Branch, DARD or on-line at www.ruralni.gov.uk/index/environment/countryside_management_main/zones