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Water Code (Jersey) 2009: 'Closed Period' for application of slurry to agricultural land: Amendment Approval

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A decision made 12 October 2015:

Decision Reference: MD-PE- 2015-0063

Decision Summary Title :

Amendments to the Water Code (Jersey) 2009 to alter the  ‘closed period’ for the application of slurry to agricultural land

Date of Decision Summary:

9th October 2015

Decision Summary Author:

 

Rural Economy Manager/Water Resource Management and Regulation Officer

Decision Summary:

Public or Exempt?

(State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)

 Public

Type of Report:

Oral or Written?

Written

Person Giving

Oral Report:

 

Written Report

Title :

Amendments to the Water Code (Jersey) 2009 to alter the  ‘closed period’ for the application of slurry to agricultural land

Date of Written Report:

9th October 2015

Written Report Author:

Rural Economy Manager/Water Resource Management and Regulation Officer

Written Report :

Public or Exempt?

(State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)

Public

 

Subject:  To amend the 3 month closed period for the application of slurry to agricultural land from 14th October to 13th January each year to 1st November to 15th January each year. 

Decision(s): To approve the change of dates to the ‘closed period’ for the application of slurry to agricultural land.

Reason(s) for Decision: The current dates for the closed period are 14th October to 13th January December mild weather and firmer soil conditions experienced in October are more favourable for spreading slurry than the adverse conditions in early January because plant growth will take up the nutrients applied because of the extended growing season and in addition machinery will do less damage to soil structure. It is also preferable operationally to many farmers to be permitted to spread during October after maize is harvested or onto grass and in late January before potatoes are planted.

Resource Implications: Reduced administration costs in processing derogation requests.

Action required: Minister of Planning and Environment to approve amended closed period dates for the application of slurry to agricultural land starting on 1st November to 15th January each year.

Signature:

 

Position: 

 

 

Date Signed:

 

Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

 

Water Code (Jersey) 2009: 'Closed Period' for application of slurry to agricultural land: Amendment Approval

Department of the Environment

 

Amendments to the Water Code (Jersey) 2009 to alter the ‘closed period’ dates for the application of slurry to agricultural land.

 

Purpose of the report

 

To amend the 3 month closed period for the application of slurry to agricultural land from 14th October to 13th January each year to 1st November to 15th January each year. 

 

Background

 

The Water Code (Jersey) 2009 is an approved Code under the Water Pollution (Jersey) Law 2000 designed to ensure the agricultural industry follows good agricultural practice in relation to the protection of the island’s controlled waters.

 

The original dates for the closed period in the 2009 code were 1st October to 31st December.

 

The dates have moved several times to allow for different weather conditions and other factors but are currently 14th October to the 13th January. It is proposed to move the start of the closed period by two weeks as there are been a number of agronomic and Jersey specific operational issues in respect of cropping patterns and scarcity of land that would make this preferable for farmers. The new shorter closed period will be 1st November to the 15th January.

 

Discussion

 

The Water Code (Jersey) 2009, which is an approved Code under the Water Pollution (Jersey) Law 2000, sets the closed period dates for the application of slurry to agricultural land in order to safeguard controlled waters in Jersey.

 

 

The new amended dates for the closed period are requested to be from 1st November to 15th January each year. This decision will not alter the ‘closed period’ for the application of inorganic fertilisers to agricultural land which will remain from 1st October to 31st December each year.

 

The Water Code (Jersey) 2009 is due for renewal in 2016 and will be subject to a industry consultation process.

 

Recommendation

 

The Minister agrees that the Water Code (Jersey) 2009 is amended to include dates for the ‘closed period’ for the application of slurry to agricultural land from 1 November to 15th January each year.

 

Written by:- The Rural Economy Manager/Water Resource Management and Regulation Officer

 

Approved by:- Minister of Planning and Environment Environment

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