Commenting on the announcement from the Welsh Government of the intention to legislate to extend the period during which farmers can spread slurry and manure, Andrew RT Davies MS, Shadow Minister for Farming and Environment, said:
“We welcome this common-sense decision to give Welsh farmers greater flexibility following an exceptionally difficult summer.
“But farmers should not have to wait for an emergency before common sense prevails.
“Llyr Gruffydd himself has admitted that ‘farming by calendar doesn’t work’, and farming unions have consistently made the same point.
“We agree with farming unions that the lessons from this year should now be used to develop a permanent, practical and proportionate system which takes account of actual weather, soil and growing conditions, while maintaining proper safeguards against pollution.
“The Minister has recognised the problem and taken a welcome first step. Now he needs to finish the job and end farming by calendar for good.”
