The Environment Agency (EA) has agreed to relax rules preventing the spreading of slurry and manure on some land in autumn until the end of February 2022.
Farmers in England who apply organic manure exceeding the needs of the soil or a growing crop will have no enforcement action taken against them, providing there was no pollution risk and farmers informed the EA.
Regular checks will need to be carried out by farmers before, during and after spreading to ensure no pollution is taking place.
There are also conditions around the type of land where spreading will be permitted, with fields where there is a high risk of leaching and run-off excluded.
This temporary measure is designed to give farmers an adjustment period for Rule 1 of the Farming Rules for Water which regulates application of organic manures in the autumn.
Under the terms of the RPS, farmers will have to show that applications do not exceed the requirements of a crop for the duration of its growing cycle and applications are not allowed on bare land.
The RPS is set to expire on 1 March 2022, unless the EA decides to extend it, and from that date farmers will have to comply with Rule 1 or face enforcement action.
LSL News.