Slurry Stores
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Many slurry stores, installed 20 - 30 years ago, are coming to the end of their reliable life. The Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008 require that by 1st January 2012 farms must have storage for at least six months (1 October to 1 April) pig slurry production.
Most slurry stores will require planning permission although smaller ones might be classed as permitted development, either with a notification (Class A) for above ground tanks, or possibly without a notification (Class B) for non-structural types such as small slurry bags:
In all cases, stores must be more than 400m away from the curtilage of a dwelling unless it houses people working on the farm.
Covering Slurry Stores - download BPEX's guide to slurry store covers
Hexa-covers
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Covering a slurry store can keep rain out, and odours and ammonia in. For new stores on PPC farms, covers are mandatory. The use of covers reduces ammonia emissions during storage by up to 50% for a cover with “standard” leakage and between 85-90% for an improved cover. A number of covering techniques are available, many of which have been developed in northern Europe, where in some countries slurry stores have had to be covered since the 1980s.
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Grants and Allowances
The Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS) is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is a scheme of support, developed to help farming, forestry and horticultural businesses in England to become more efficient at using resources. This scheme aims to help make your business more profitable and resilient whilst reducing the impact of farming on the environment.
The first round of the FFIS has now closed. A second round is expected to open in early May 2012. This scheme may help with slurry store covers if you are not legally required to have one.
The value of slurry - download BPEX's guide to the value of pig manure and slurry
The value of slurry as a replacement for manufactured fertiliser should not be ignored. By analysing slurry and applying it to suit crop requirements at the appropriate time of the year, you can treat slurry as an asset rather than a nuisance.