Council warns Limerick farmers that complaints over slurry spreading will be investigated

AS THE closed period for spreading organic fertilisers came to an end this Thursday, January 15, the council says any complaint or non-compliance notified to them will be investigated.

“Any breaches of the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2025 can lead to financial penalties to your single farm payment,” said a Limerick City and County Council spokesperson.

The council reminds Limerick farmers of the buffer zones - slurry and soiled water spreading distance from waters: 5m from open drain or stream, extends to 10m for the two weeks before and after the closed period.

It is 10m from open drain or stream with steep sloped lands (10% or greater); 15m from a karst limestone feature; 20m from a lake shoreline or turlough likely to flood

The spokesperson said the umbilical system must not be used to spread slurry or soiled water on saturated soils or when conditions pose a risk to water quality.

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Slurry, farmyard manure and soiled water should only be spread when ground conditions are appropriate and heavy rainfall is not expected within 48 hours.

The closed period for the application of chemical fertilisers comes to an end on January 29.

The council thanked farmers for their co-operation in adhering to the regulations in order to protect and restore water quality.