Baled silage - pollution risk

As the winter feeding period sets in once again, farmers should take care when opening baled silage to minimise the risk of water pollution.

The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations (Northern Ireland), more commonly referred to as the SSAFO regulations, came into effect in 2003. Under the regulations it is an offence to store or open baled silage within 10 metres of any waterway or field drain, unless there is no risk of contamination of the waterway. Care must be taken to collect and dispose of any silage effluent without causing pollution. However the SSAFO guidelines state that it is permissible for bales to be opened, for feeding purposes, within 10 metres of waterway, if down slope of the waterway with no risk of pollution.

Since the mid-1980s, Hugh Maguire, who farms at the foothills of Cuilcagh mountain in West Fermanagh, has made all of his winter fodder into baled silage. Hugh has managed large areas of heather moorland and species rich calcareous grassland under the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Scheme for the last ten years. He has become increasingly aware of the requirement for pollution control.

Further guidance on prevention of pollution is available in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution of Water. The Codes provide practical advice and information on the main agricultural activities that can give rise to pollution.

The Codes are currently being reviewed and updated, however the existing booklets are available on the DARD website.

Further advice and information on any aspect of pollution control and on agri-environment schemes can be obtained by contacting Countryside Management Branch staff in your local DARD office.