Defra and the Environment Agency have committed to providing clear guidance on what has recently become a controversial issue in farming circles – when and how manure can be spread on fields.
Poultry farmer Matt Donald wrote about the problems caused by confusion over the rules, last year here:
Comment: We need some sensible advice from the Environment Agency on poultry manure – Poultry News
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee met last week to take evidence on the ‘Farming Rules for Water’. Many farmers said the rules as interpreted by the Environment Agency (EA), meant they could not spread organic fertiliser on their fields in an efficient way. The EA, on the other hand, said its rules were designed to stop pollution and did not prevent responsible fertiliser spreading. The committee’s session took evidence from the Tennant Farmers Association, experts in soil and water issues, and senior officials from the EA.
The Chair of the Committee, Neil Parish MP, said after the evidence session: “Farmers have been rightly concerned at mixed messages they have received from the Environment Agency about soil husbandry – and when and how they can spread organic fertiliser.
“But today’s informative and constructive session made it clear that all parties are committed to finding a solution which makes the most of good organic matter while reducing pollution.
“I was pleased that the Environment Agency and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committed during the session to publishing new and very clear guidance on this issue for our farmers by early Spring”.
