‘MOTs’ for Slurry Stores

The livestock industry has avoided the need to upgrade older slurry stores, but in future there may be an ‘MOT-style’ condition review to ensure they are fit for purpose.  In addition, closed periods for slurry spreading are unlikely to alter in the short-term.

This is the result of a joint government and industry Slurry Management and Storage Project which has just published its final report (see https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/260397/pb14044-slurry-management-storage-report.pdf). The report looks at a range of issues around the subject of slurry including legislative requirements, advice, access to capital and enforcement.

On closed periods under the NVZ regulations the industry was looking for more flexibility on when slurry could be spread.  Whilst the Group supported the concept of flexibility in principle, it could not find a workable model to introduce flexibility in practice.  There will be no change in closed periods at present although the situation will be kept under review.

On storage regulations, these are currently governed by the Control Of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil (SSAFO)) Regulations 1991.  As we reported in April, these regulations contain ‘grandfather rights’ meaning that stores erected prior to 1991 do not have to meet the current requirements on storage capacities and construction methods.  At one point it seemed possible that these rights would be withdrawn, and all stores would have to be upgraded to SSAFO standards.  This threat has now gone away with the publication of this report.  However, where older stores are being ‘substantially enlarged, reconstructed or modified’ they will have to be brought up to modern standards.

The Group recommended that all stores should be assessed regularly for risk under a ‘condition review’.  Details of how this would work are still to be decided.  It was also recommended that the 20-year old SSAFO regulations be updated. 

In terms of advice provided to farmers, the report states that a tailored approach is the best way to improve slurry management practices across England.  Developing advice packages to be delivered by trusted advisors is recommended, and advice on slurry management should be embedded across advice initiatives.

According to many in the industry access to capital is one of the main barriers faced by farmers to improving slurry storage facilities. The Group suggested that mechanisms providing funding, e.g. Catchment Sensitive Farming Grants,Rural Development Programmes and privately funded initiatives, should be targeted to support sustainable slurry management and water quality outcomes.

The Government now intends to implement the report’s recommendations as part of a wider programme of collaborative work – the Water Quality and Agriculture Project.  The aim is to develop, in conjunction with the industry, a plan to reduce the impact of agriculture on the water environment whilst maintaining a sustainable and competitive farming industry.