merrion street

Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine welcomes the announcement today by his colleague Phil Hogan TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, granting extensions for the spreading of chemical fertiliser and livestock manures to Sunday 30 September 2012 and Wednesday 31 October 2012 respectively.

Minister Coveney said he had worked closely with Minister Hogan on these issues and was very pleased that the extensions now granted would be of benefit to farmers heading into the winter season. “The decision was taken in the context of an identified fodder shortage. In particular these extensions will assist farmers in extending grazing into the winter season, Minister Coveney said. He added, “I am acutely aware of the difficulties the adverse weather conditions have had on farms this summer and I am confident that the granting of these extensions will alleviate pressures on farmers to some extent".

The extensions apply to all farmers in all schemes. The Minister advised farmers that the application of chemical fertilisers and livestock manures had to be carefully managed and balanced with due care for the environment. “Farmers are reminded that they must always have regard for the weather forecast and ground conditions at the time of spreading”, he concluded.