The NFU North East is urging livestock farmers across the region to make sure they are ready for the onset of new slurry storage requirements which come into effect from 1 January 2012.
This follows concerns that a significant number of farmers in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ areas) have yet to make the necessary preparations.
With the deadline approaching, a series of workshops is being planned to help members get to grips with exactly what they should be doing.
"This will be members' last opportunity to get ready – so anyone at all unsure about what they need to do should book a place at one of these meetings," said NFU North East regional director Barney Kay.
“By now farmers should have already assessed their storage needs for slurry and poultry manure kept on farm – six months’ worth for pigs and poultry and five months’ worth for other slurry. They should also have investigated what they need to do if more storage is needed.
“Even those in a deferred slurry storage area or ‘purple area’, who have an additional year to comply, may still be visited by Environment Agency staff to check what steps have been put in place.”
The forthcoming series of workshops is being held in conjunction with the Environment Agency and will cover the calculations needed to find out if extra storage is required, the next steps and what could happen if farmers fail to meet the regulations.
Participants will have the chance to go through their own calculations as part of the workshop provided they bring their own information on:
• animal numbers
• dimensions
• surface area of existing storage
• areas of open spaces running into their slurry store
Subject to demand, workshops are being held as follows:
Tuesday 11 October 1.00-3.00pm The Badger, Ponteland
Tuesday 11 October 6.00-8.00pm The George, Piercebridge
Thursday 13 October 1.00-3.00pm NFU Regional Office, York
Thursday 20 October 1.00-3.00pm The Golden Fleece, Thirsk
Thursday 20 October 6.00-8.00pm The Black Swan, Pickering
Tuesday 25 October 1.00-3.00pm Staindrop Lodge, Chapeltown, Sheffield
Tuesday 25 October 6.00-8.00pm Cedar Court, Huddersfield
To book a place contact NFU regional office on 01904 451550. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
No comments have been made.