Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan has raised concerns with proposals set out in the Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) currently out for public consultation.
The Newry and Armagh MLA has urged people to make their views known on the NAP review in the public consultation which closes at the extended date of 24th July.
The Sinn Féin MLA said:
“For many farmers, proposals to reduce the P balance to 8kg/ha from 2029 would force them to either reduce their livestock or increase the amount of land they farm.
This could put many farmers out of business, impacting the rural and wider economy”.
She added,
“Concerns have also been raised that DAERA is aligning the NAP proposals with the UK Fertiliser Manual RB209 which was previously rejected here as it failed to take account of local grass growing conditions”.
The MLA stated that the timelines currently set out would be difficult for many farmers.
The Newry & Armagh MLA explained,
“Farmers have a vital role to play in protecting our waterways, but they need to be properly supported to do that.
The timelines currently set out would be very difficult for many farmers.
Whilst new technologies such as the Sustainable Use of Livestock Slurry project (SULS) are showing promising results, it is relatively new and not yet in widespread use.
She continued,
Likewise, DAERA has linked the NAP proposals to the Soil Nutrient Health scheme, which is not as yet completed across the north”.
The NAP Review proposals for the mandatory use of Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment (LESSE) by 2030 is also hugely challenging. Most LESSE equipment is not accessible or affordable, especially for small hill farms in Areas of Natural Constraint”.
Concluding the MLA said
“Sinn Féin has raised these concerns directly with DAERA officials which we will include in our submission to the consultation.
The Minister needs to listen to the real concerns of farmers to ensure a NAP is effective and deliverable so that we protect and improve our waterways.
I strongly encourage people to make their views known on the NAP review in the public consultation which closes at the extended date of 24th July.”
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