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 to 14th October to 13th 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.
An approach by the industry after the wet weather during the summer of 2012 led to a change in the dates being agreed to allow them to take advantage of the better soil conditions in October and also gave them longer to empty their stores before the closed period commenced.
However, this was an extraordinary year so it is now further proposed that the dates be re-set to have the closed period from the 14th October to the 13th January each year.
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 original dates for the closed period in the 2009 code were 1st October to 31st December, the amended 2012 dates were 25th October to 24th January. The 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 early October and late January before potatoes are planted.
The new amended dates, agreed with the industry, for the closed period are requested to be from 14th October to 13th 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 2014 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 slurry to agricultural land from 14th October to 13th January each year.
Written by:- The Rural Economy Manager
Approved by:- Director of Environment