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Thursday, 30th January 2025

IFI urging farmers to spread slurry carefully while working near water

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The sight that nobody wants to see - a dead fish floating to the surface of water polluted by slurry.

Landowners asked to protect rivers and lakes during slurry season

Inland Fisheries Ireland has appealed to farmers to take all precautionary measures to help prevent water pollution when spreading slurry in 2025.

Livestock manure, organic fertilisers, silage effluent and soiled water from agricultural practices are highly damaging substances that cause severe water quality issues. 

Deputy CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), Barry Fox, said: “Poor slurry spreading practices can ultimately wipe out local fish populations and ruin their habitats.

“With the slurry season commenced for 2025, IFI is appealing to farmers to be very mindful of their local rivers, lakes, streams and coastlines, and to heed associated regulations.

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“Ireland’s fisheries resource is a significant part of the rural economy.Agricultural communities play a pivotal role in the responsible stewardship of our environment - now, and for future generations.”

IFI urge farmers to work according to all best practices, including the maintenance of the minimum distance between slurry spreading areas and watercourses. They are also reminded to plan ahead, noting poor weather conditions before spreading on fields.

Farmers are encouraged to seek advice where necessary from Teagasc, their Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme advisor, local authority, or the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Separately, IFI continues to encourage the public to report instances of water pollution, habitat destruction, fish kills, or illegal fishing, to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.

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