Published at 13:49, Friday, 05 October 2012

Farmers can continue to spread slurry on grassland until October 31 within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in recognition of a backlog caused by the wet summer.

Defra will also allow spreading on tillage land until October 15.

News that the closed period has been delayed was welcomed by the Country Land and Business Association.

Its president Harry Cotterell said: “The recent heavy rainfall will make it very difficult to meet the original closed period deadline.

“The extension for applying manure and slurry to fields with heavier soil will help farmers manage their applications without having to rush to complete the work under current extreme weather conditions.”

Closed periods on slurry and manure spreading within NVZs would normally prevent spreading to tillage land from 1 October and from 15 October for grassland.

Farmers still face fines if they do not abide by the new guidelines.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk