LESS Requirements for Small Scale and Lower Stocked Farms Not Viable or Necessary – IFA
IFA National Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan has called for a deferral and review of the Low Emission Slurry Spreading requirements which are set to be implemented on January 1st, 2025.
He highlighted issues with the requirements for this category which is populated by small dry stock farmers who operate on fragmented, smaller holdings often with challenging land. He said that the requirements for these farms are neither practical, safe to use nor economically viable.
Mr. Hanrahan said that the Minister for Agriculture and his colleagues need to consider a review of the Low Emission Slurry Spreading requirements and the impact this unnecessary cost burden would have on the vulnerable farmers in the agricultural sector.
The National Livestock Chair said that the Department needs to come up with practical arrangements for farmers on these smaller holdings to reduce ammonia emissions and develop good nutrient management practices as the trailing shoe and dribble bars are not safe and not economically viable options.
Finally, Declan Hanrahan said that the issues have been discussed with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine officials and the problems outlined must be addressed so that farmers in small holdings with difficult terrain will not be pushed down a path where suitable implements are not available to meet their needs.
