Waterford City and County Council has issued a reminder to farmers that the slurry spreading season in Waterford is now officially closed. The closed period applies to farms across Zone A, with strict rules in place for both chemical fertilisers and organic manures.

Key Dates for Slurry Spreading in Waterford

Farmers are not permitted to apply chemical fertiliser until January 27th, 2026. For organic manures, excluding farmyard manure, the closed period for slurry application ends earlier, on January 12th, 2026.

Inspections and Enforcement

Inspectors from the Council’s Environment Department will carry out patrols throughout the closed season. Any cases of slurry spreading detected during this time will be cross-reported to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under conditionality.

Offences and Penalties

Spreading slurry during the closed season is an offence under S.I. 113 of 2022 European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, Schedule 4. Farmers found in breach may also face prosecution, with additional penalties for non-compliance.

Waterford City and County Council emphasises that these rules are in place to protect water quality and the environment, while ensuring farming practices meet EU standards.

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