Changes to the rules around autumn muckspreading under the Farming Rules for Water are among a series of measures announced by Defra to help farmers cope with the rise in fertiliser prices. Revised and improved statutory guidance has been agreed on how farmers should limit the use of slurry and other farmyard manure at certain times of year.
“This will clarify that the government does not intend to ban autumn manure spreading through the Farming Rules for Water, but clarifies the conditions when it is not appropriate for the Environment Agency to sanction farmers when they spread manure in the autumn and winter months,” the Defra statement said, with further details awaited.
Grants to help farmers store and cover up to six months’ worth of slurry will also be provided, but rates will not be announced until later in the year.
Read more at Applying the farming rules for water – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
