Over the past few weeks soil conditions, particularly in the West and North West have deteriorated to such an extent that some farmers are putting their cattle back into sheds and the land has become unworkable on many farms particularly where there is marginal land. Farmers have slurry in tanks ready to spread but even if we get a dry spell now the deadline for spreading is too tight.
I am calling on the Minister today to extend the deadline from October 15th to the end of October and I also want him to extend the Farmyard Manure deadline to the middle of November. I want the Minister to make these announcements now so as farmers do not have to plough up land which would be most unsuitable at this time given the soil conditions. I want the fear of the deadline taken away as soon as possible. Usually if there is an extension it is announced at the last minute which is very unsatisfactory and I am calling to Minster Creed to make this announcement now to relieve pressure on farmers