There is a limited uptake of nutrients during October and November, with any applied during these months at risk of loss to the environment, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has said.
Answering a written question from West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan, Minister Muir pointed to the shorter day length, lower temperatures and declining growth at this time of year.
“Scientific evidence supports the closed period as the most effective means of minimising the risks associated with slurry spreading,” he said.
McCrossan had asked the DAERA minister whether any consideration had been given to extending the spreading season in line with what happened in Wales.
Back in September the Welsh government confirmed farmers would be been given an extra month to 15 November to spread slurry.
Responding to that, Minister Muir said that Welsh decision was due to summer drought, which had left farmers unable to spread slurry as they normally would.
“The prolonged drought and extreme weather conditions experienced there were not replicated in NI,” he said.
