IFI urge farmers to spread slurry carefully while working near water
- 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.
Commenting Barry Fox Deputy CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) 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.
“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.”
Barry Fox, Deputy CEO at Inland Fisheries Ireland
IFI encourage farmers to work according to best practices, including the maintenance of the minimum distance between slurry spreading areas and watercourses.
They are reminded to plan ahead, noting weather conditions before spreading on fields.
Farmers are also asked to seek advice where necessary from Teagasc or their Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme advisor, local authority, or the Department of Food, Agriculture and the Marine, on the issue.
Stock image of a dead fish
Separately, IFI continues to remind 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.
