Tipperary General Election candidate welcomes Tánaiste’s support for proposal to revisit splash plate ban
From January 1 next year, over 40,000 farmers are set to be required to spread slurry using low emission slurry spreaders
General Election candidate for North Tipperary/Northwest Kilkenny, Ryan O'Meara, has welcomed Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil Leader Micheal Martin’s support for a proposal to emulate German regulations allowing hill farmers to still be able to use traditional splash-plate slurry spreading.
From January 1 next year, over 40,000 farmers are set to be required to spread slurry using low emission slurry spreaders.
Asked by Baden Powell, Chair of North Tipperary IFA at the IFA National Council, about a proposal put forward by Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu for Ireland to emulate the German regulations which make allowance for hill farmers to still be able to use the traditional splash-plate slurry spreading on farms, Tánaiste Micheal Martin said:
“It’s always good to put a question in and also provide a solution. I certainly would be very supportive of what you’ve proposed.
“I know the Minister has engaged with the IFA on this specific issue, and if we can replicate that German solution, I’d be very willing to do that.”
O'Meara said: "I welcome the Tánaiste’s support for this proposal. I recently attended a public meeting in Upperchurch organised by North Tipperary IFA with over 300 farmers present.
"It's clear that this is a major national issue, not just localised here but it's affecting a lot of farmers in North Tipperary and Northwest Kilkenny.
"This is something that I have been working on with Deputy Jackie Cahill and I very much welcome the Tánaiste's remarks and commitment on this."