NRW supports temporary extension to slurry spreading period following dry weather

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) supports the temporary flexibility for farmers announced by the Welsh Government today due to the exceptional dry weather conditions experienced this year.

The prolonged period of low rainfall and high temperatures has created significant challenges for farming businesses, while also affecting rivers, habitats and wildlife across Wales. 

This has led to increased slurry production at a time when opportunities for land spreading have been limited by dry soil conditions, reduced crop growth, and lower nutrient demand.  

The temporary extension to the slurry spreading period provides additional flexibility for farmers while helping to reduce the risk of slurry stores reaching capacity later in the year, which could risk storage failures and pollution incidents. 

NRW’s Regulatory Policy and Approaches Manager Eirian Macdonald explained:

"This has been an exceptional year for farmers across Wales, and we recognise that many have needed to provide supplementary feed to livestock and house stock in high temperatures to enable access to sufficient feed and water. 

"This has increased slurry production at a time when slurry spreading has been reduced due to dry soils, no crop growth and lower nutrient need. 

"We support this temporary measure introduced by the Welsh Government as it provides additional flexibility, while helping to reduce the risk of slurry storage capacity issues later in the year."

NRW will continue to expect compliance with the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations and will work with farmers and partners across the agricultural sector to support compliance while protecting Wales's water, land and air.