There are two reasons for changing the current mechanism of slurry spreading between two calendar dates in Northern Ireland.

1) The purpose of the ban is to protect the environment but the weather doesn't heed the calendar.  Farmers have been forced to spread during wet weather before the winter closed period which ironically has been followed by weeks of dry weather after the cut off date.  Similarly farmers who could spread in a dry January have been forced to spread during wet February weather to ease the pressure on full storage tanks.

2) The pressure of spreading slurry before a calendar date adds to the risks of an already dangerous job.  Slurry gas kills and a calendar deadline forces farmers to work in less than ideal conditions.

Farmers understand the benefits of slurry being used in the growing season and the benefit to the environment of not spreading in wet weather so give them the flexibility to do the job better and safer.  Sign this petition to ask DAERA & NIEA to create a practical solution which the Northern Ireland assembly can approve.

Watch about slurry mixing dangers at FarmFLiX.tv