I propose to take Questions Nos. 2675, 2696 and 2711 together.
In the first instance, the closing dates referred to are set out in legislation enacted by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD, commonly known as the Nitrates Regulations or Good Agriculture Practice for the protection of water regulations. I work closely with the Minister in this area.
Over recent weeks my Department has been in ongoing engagement with Teagasc, farm organisations and the wider industry, including through the National Fodder and Food Security Committee and the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group with regard to grass growth and the fodder situation on farms.
There is regional and farm-to-farm variation in the degree to which grass growth rates were affected by the drought. There was a ‘brown drought’ in the southeast of the country where soil moisture deficits were most acute, a ‘green drought’ in the south, midlands and north east, while most farms in the west and north west are effectively growing grass in a ‘business as usual’ scenario. However, since late August all drought impacted areas have received significant rainfall.
Now that we have rain, the science is clear that the earlier nutrients are applied to land, the better the response will be in terms of producing forage.
Farmers are encouraged to spread fertiliser and slurry as soon as possible, at the appropriate rate based on crop demand in line with Teagasc's advice.
I will continue to monitor the situation in respect of closing dates and engage with stakeholders with whom we have fully engaged with on this issue. Stakeholders are very aware of the benefits of early application and the risk, from a water quality point of view, of delayed application of nutrient.
