Extension needed ahead of slurry ban

You are viewing content from Q Mid Antrim 107. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

Friday, 30 September 2016 10:00

Due to inclement weather, local agriculturalists have been prevented from using up winter stocks of slurry.

Local councillor Mark Glasgow has written to Minister for Agriculture, Michelle McIlveen, over farmers' concerns about the upcoming slurry ban.

The Ulster Unionist representative on Mid-Ulster District Council says the ban, due to come into effect in a fortnight's time, 'won't help farmers'.

That's because recent bad weather has stopped farm-owners from using up their winter stocks of the fertilizer.

Now, he and party colleague, the MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Tom Elliott, want the ban to be rolled back in order to alleviate the strain on local agriculture.

"Weather, it's one of those things that you can't control. But this slurry ban is something that we can control," Mr. Glasgow told Q radio news.

"What I'm asking and what other farmers are asking for is an extension to be allowed in order for them to be allowed to go out and spread slurry in the most environmentally-friendly way that they can in order free up storage and to stay in line with this legislation," he added.