The NFU has been in contact with the Environment Agency regarding the difficulties that the recent wet weather may bring farmers in managing and containing slurry. Due to the heavy rainfall, many stores may be at capacity already or will be before the end of the winter closed period in NVZs.
EA advice:
The EA's focus is to avoid or minimising soil damage and/or water pollution that can occur if slurry is spread in the wrong conditions. However it is also important that stores do not overspill and become a point-source of water pollution.
If you have no capacity left and cannot avoid spreading at times when you think there is a risk of slurry washing off or leaching, or you will breach an NVZ condition, farmers are being urged to contact the Environment Agency as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Your local agriculture officer will be able to assess your situation on a case-by-case basis and advise you on what actions you can take. They may come to an agreement to allow emergency measures for slurry spreading or temporary storage if lagoons are likely to be compromised, or are at risk of overflowing. The Environment Agency has produced an advice position during exceptional weather-slurry and milk spreading on agricultural land which should be consulted before any action is taken. Further information about broader flood recovery advice can be found in the Environment Agency within its flood recovery advice document.
The Environment Agency state that farmers should have sufficient storage to cope with typical UK weather conditions, which will include prolonged wet weather and occasional flooding. The EA also advise farmers to have contingency plans in place to cope with exceptional conditions, such as the use of temporary stores.
Currently there has been no lifting of the rules under NVZ. Again if you have concerns about complying with these rules then you should contact your local Environment Agency Office.
Please call 03708 506 506 to speak to your local EA agriculture officer.
Out of hours, or in an emergency, call the incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.