Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith says the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government should extend the slurry spreading deadline given the inclement weather in recent weeks.

Deputy Smith said, “An extension to the slurry spreading deadline is now needed due to poor weather conditions experienced by farmers in Cavan-Monaghan. The Minister for Agriculture should be fully aware of the difficulties facing farmers at this time.  

“I would ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to extend the deadline to accommodate farmers who need additional time.

“In Cavan-Monaghan there has been significant rainfall. Of the year to date, 36.2% of our rainfall occurred in August and September. Due to poor weather conditions farmers have not been able to spread slurry and we cannot risk panic spreading and damaging land. We need flexibility to ensure farmers have enough time beyond the current deadline.

“Farmers in the border region and elsewhere have repeatedly been hindered by factors beyond their control this year. Brexit, the beef crisis, and falling prices have been conditions of a very hard year so far. The least the Minister can do is grant an extension to help farmers during this time,” concluded Deputy Smith.