Independent TD for Tipperary, Mattie McGrath has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, TD that an extension to the deadlines for spreading fertiliser and slurry on farms has been granted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Commenting on the news Deputy McGrath said, “I have been inundated by members of the farming community asking that the deadlines for the spreading of fertiliser and slurry be extended, particularly due to the ongoing drought conditions and fodder crisis.
I have been asking the Minister on flexibility on an extension to the closed period for spreading of chemical and organic fertilisers, in order to capitalise on autumn grass growth for fodder production.
It is extremely important that we give the farming community and those most affected by the drought and fodder crisis the opportunity to maximise the growing season and to conserve additional fodder as we approach the Autumn and Winter periods.
The deadline has been extended for chemical fertiliser from mid September until the end of September, and the deadline for the application of organic manures from mid October to the end of October.”
Concluding Deputy McGrath added, “While I welcome this announcement, we need to see a practicable, targeted and workable solution to the ongoing fodder crisis from the Minister and his Department including the importation of fodder where necessary to assist farmers who are at crisis point. Imports of fodder will have to have a key role to play in the range of options available.”
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