Sinn Féin has hit out out at the Minister for Agriculture for refusing to extend the slrry-spreading deadline.

The party's spokesperson for Agriculture and Rural Development, Martin Kenny TD, expressed his disappointment at the Minister's comments in the Dáil.

Deputy Kenny said: "During the debate in the Dáil, I asked the Minister if he intended to extend the slurry-spreading season as he had done last year. This followed on from communication I sent earlier this month to him also requesting an extension.

"He gave a straight answer – rather unusually for a Minister – 'no'. He categorically stated there will be no extension to the slurry-spreading season, despite the difficulties.

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"He then laid the blame at farmers, saying that no farmer should have tanks full of slurry at this time of year. He also followed this up by saying farmers who do should examine their system of farming, and suggested that farmers who have tanks full of slurry and cannot get them out need to contact the department directly as it becomes an animal welfare issue.

"The Minister seems to be out of touch with farmers. Does he not realise the impact that weather has had on farms this year? Particularly farms in the west and northwest.

"It is only in the last two weeks that some farmers have had ground dry enough to spread slurry and contractors are unable to cope with demand before the upcoming deadline.

"Farmers and farm contractors need to be given an opportunity to get tanks emptied before its time to house livestock for the winter. We simply cannot farm to calendar dates, and flexibility needs to be given with changes to the weather.

"The Minister's refusal to extend the slurry spreading date is completely unacceptable. I would urge him to reassess things once again, and do right by farmers. He cannot control the weather, but he certainly has control over farming deadlines imposed by his department."