Extension will help ‘hard-pressed farmers’
THE extension to the closed period for spreading of chemical and organic fertilisers has been welcomed by Minister Andrew Doyle, who said that it is ‘good news for hard-pressed farmers in Wicklow’.
In recent days, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed announced an extension for fertiliser and slurry spreading until the end of September.
‘ This is a very positive step for hard pressed farmers, who are really struggling following the series of extreme weather events experienced this year. As a farmer myself, I am aware of the difficulties currently facing farmers The deadline has been extended for chemical fertiliser from the middle of September until the end of September, and the deadline for the application of organic manures from the middle of October to the end of October,’ Minister Doyle said.
As farmers are seeking to maximise fodder production at this time of year, the extension will help them to produce more this growing season.
He said that an array of measures have been looked at targeted at producing as much fodder as possible from Irish land in response to the shortfall.
‘Imports of fodder will have a role to play in the range of options available. My Department will assist in this regard and further details will be announced in due course. However, the immediate priority is to maximise fodder production at home and I believe the Fodder Production Incentive Measure for Tillage Farmers and GLAS flexibilities will contribute positively in this regard,’ Minister Doyle said.