Farming rules for water. Muckspreading

[Mowerz]

Been chatting with a neighbouring local farmer this morning who reliably informs me that due to the enforcement of the farming rules for water we won't be allowed to spread any fym, slurry or dirty water anymore from 15th October until mid February starting from this autumn, is this correct as we are not in an nvz?
From my understanding it should not be applied when the growing crop (in our case grass) doesn't have a need for the nutrients. Until now we've only been spreading a few loads of semi solid slurry with a dual spreader very lightly throughout the autumn & the odd load in the winter if weather & the grass growth allows. Are we now expected to hold onto this muck & slurry until the magic day in February when we can empty everything in one go instead of a far better little & when required risk based approach?
Any comments much appreciated, thanks

 

[robs1]

I thought they had abandoned it as unworkable.

 

[milkloss]

Yes. I think they backed down on that one. The skeptic in me thinks it was really because they realised they'd have a big heap of sewage sludge that needed to be disposed of.

 

[muleman]

Its often best to plead ignorant and carry on..!

 

[matthew]

This traces back to the Water Act 2018. That required us (and the water authorities) to have 6 months storage for ‘slurry’, I believe.
Initially, dirty water run off spread carefully on grassland was excluded as grass was classed as a ‘growing crop’.

Enter the EA. The current regulator, who gold plated the original regulations, classed dirty water as ‘slurry’ and ignored grassland as a growing crop.

The only derogation I’m aware of is for the water companies, who currently only have three DAYS storage.

Our spreading window has been increased slightly, as you’ve been told. Temporarily.

 

[Goweresque]

I think there's been developments on this, the Telegraph was reporting that environmental groups have taken the EA to court regarding the relaxation of the rules announced back in March and had won the case:

Clean rivers victory as farmers’ use of manure is curtailed

Defra drops guidelines that allowed the spread of the fertiliser above ‘safe’ levels after campaign groups threatened judicial review

www.telegraph.co.uk

So I have no idea where we are now

 

[Campani]

The EA provided guidance which allowed spreading, However, they were taken to court and lost so have amended the guidance again.

The newly amended guidance is here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...or-water/applying-the-farming-rules-for-water

Key section:

• during the time periods set out in Table 1 with a single application rate limit of 30m³/ha for high RAN organic manures in general and 8t/ha for high RAN poultry organic manures — there must also be no repeat applications for at least 21 days during the restricted time periods
• during the time periods set out in Table 1 at an application rate to meet the soil and crop need of an autumn/winter commercial crop, not including conventional cover crops or green manure

Table 1: time periods when application rate limits apply for high RAN organic manure​

Soil type	Grassland	Tillage land
Sandy or shallow soil	1 September to the end of February	1 August to the end of February
All other soils	15 October to the end of February	1 October to the end of February

For grassland I read this as you can spread as long as:
- it's less than 30m3 or 8tonne a hectare
-not a repeat application within 21 days
-the grass is growing and requires manure.

 

[robs1]

The EA provided guidance which allowed spreading, However, they were taken to court and lost so have amended the guidance again.

The newly amended guidance is here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...or-water/applying-the-farming-rules-for-water

Key section:

• during the time periods set out in Table 1 with a single application rate limit of 30m³/ha for high RAN organic manures in general and 8t/ha for high RAN poultry organic manures — there must also be no repeat applications for at least 21 days during the restricted time periods
• during the time periods set out in Table 1 at an application rate to meet the soil and crop need of an autumn/winter commercial crop, not including conventional cover crops or green manure

Table 1: time periods when application rate limits apply for high RAN organic manure​

Soil type	Grassland	Tillage land
Sandy or shallow soil	1 September to the end of February	1 August to the end of February
All other soils	15 October to the end of February	1 October to the end of February

For grassland I read this as you can spread as long as:
- it's less than 30m3 or 8tonne a hectare
-not a repeat application within 21 days
-the grass is growing and requires manure.

I can live with that

 

[milkloss]

I can live with that

But it’s still another w4nky regulation that means the farmer will have to prove he’s the right side of the law should someone make a complaint.

 

[robs1]

But it’s still another w4nky regulation that means the farmer will have to prove he’s the right side of the law should someone make a complaint.

Innocent until found guilty.
To be fair with fert at current prices very few would want to waste muck