Environment Agency relaxes rules on milk and slurry spreading

The agency said it would be taking ‘a more flexible approach’ to help farmers who have run out of storage options.

The freezing conditions have prevented tankers in some parts of the country completing their usual milk collections, causing some farmers to have to stockpile milk, while slurry storage is also under pressure in some places.

Current pollution and waste regulations prohibit the spreading of milk or slurry on frozen ground due to the high risk of water pollution.

But to help farmers get through the exceptional weather conditions, the agency will allow farmers whose slurry storage is at or near to capacity to spread slurry and waste milk on snow-covered or frozen soil.

The agency will not take enforcement action in England and Wales when:

• Action has to be taken to prevent storage overflowing.
• There is no alternative temporary storage available - such as at a neighbour’s farm – and there are no other environmentally acceptable options for disposal.
• The activity is unlikely to result in pollution.

The agency stressed that it was issuing the guidance to reduce the risk of pollution from overflowing storage tanks and that it would apply only until milk collections returned to normal.

Environment Agency director of operations, David Jordan said: “This is a really tough time for farmers and comes on top of the recent floods in Cumbria.

“We want to do what we can to help farmers, while still protecting the environment against pollution. That is why we will relax the rules on spreading milk and slurry if they have run out of storage options.”

Farmers who are facing storage difficulties - or want advice on dealing with slurry and surplus milk supplies - are urged to contact their local Environment Agency office for guidance or call the agency’s helpline on 08708 506506.

Detailed guidance is also available on the agency’s website at:  http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/114875.aspx

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