The Ulster Unionist Party has welcomed the announcement that Environment Minister Alex Attwood has agreed to an easement of the restrictions around Slurry Spreading as a response to the recent wet weather. 
 
“The spreading of slurry cannot be set against arbitrary calendar dates and is totally dependent upon the weather conditions at the time.”  said Ulster Unionist Agriculture Spokesperson Jo-Anne Dobson MLA “Whilst we are pleased that the Environment Minister has agreed the principle of enabling farmers to spread inside the closed period we know that many farmers are unclear about the practicalities of his statement.” 
 
Speaking on the issue said “Whilst we believe that this is a step in the right direction by the Environment Minister we do urge farmers to tread cautiously as a number of conditions have been attached to the Ministers decision.  We believe that a much greater degree of clarity needs to come from the Department of Environment to help farmers.
 
“It is the Ministers caveat that farmers must be able to prove “reasonable excuse” for spreading that has worried so many within the Industry.  We all know that it has been excessively wet in recent weeks and indeed I am aware of concerns from farmers that the ground in some areas of the province is still too damp to commence spreading with heavy machinery.  Farmers will therefore be forced to spread during the closed period and will fall foul to the Ministers cavet of proving reasonable excuse. 
 
“Whilst many farmers will welcome the easement, they have received mixed messages and will be looking to the Environment Minister for clarity regarding spreading.  I call upon the Minister to clarify the situation for farmers before the ground is dry enough for spreading to commence.”