Spreading fertiliser and slurry in Wexford: what the rules allow today
The closed periods for Co. Wexford, and the live Met Éireann check for heavy rain in the next 48 hours, on one page.
Closed periods today
ClosedChemical fertiliser
Closed period. Allowed again from 30 January 2027.
Closed period in Co. Wexford: 15 September to 29 January. From 15 January the Minister may publish criteria for spreading in exceptional circumstances.
ClosedSlurry and other organic fertiliser (not farmyard manure)
Closed period. Allowed again from 13 January 2027.
Closed period in Co. Wexford: 1 October to 12 January. From 1 to 15 October the Minister may publish criteria for spreading in exceptional circumstances.
ClosedFarmyard manure
Closed period. Allowed again from 13 January 2027.
Closed period in Co. Wexford: 1 November to 12 January.
Soiled water from milk producers may not be spread from 1 to 31 December.
Heavy rain in the next 48 hours
The Regulations say fertiliser and soiled water may not be spread when heavy rain is forecast within 48 hours, and define heavy rain as rainfall meeting Met Éireann's yellow, orange or red rain-warning criteria.
Checking Met Éireann…
Also never allowed, whatever the date
- On waterlogged ground (saturated, so any more would run off).
- On land that is flooded or likely to flood.
- On snow-covered or frozen ground.
- On steeply sloping ground where there is a risk of water pollution.
- Slurry or soiled water by an upward-facing splashplate, a tanker-mounted sludge irrigator, or from a road or passageway.
Buffer zones from wells, lakes, rivers and karst features also apply: see the Regulations, article 18.
Sources
Closed periods and conditions: S.I. No. 588 of 2025, European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2025, Schedule 4 and article 18, read 23 October 2026. Weather: Met Éireann warnings and point forecasts, checked live when you open this page.
A summary of the Regulations, not legal advice. Derogation farms and arable land have further rules. If anything here is wrong, email hello@everyjob.ie.