New minister claims muck spreading ban fails to protect rivers

The newly appointed Minister for Agriculture addresses parliament, expressing concerns over the ineffectiveness of muck spreading regulations in protecting river water quality.

The regulations, which were implemented in response to growing environmental concerns, restrict the timing and application of manure on agricultural fields. However, reports indicate that non-compliance and poor enforcement have undermined their intended benefits. Between 2020 and 2023, several studies revealed elevated levels of pollutants in rivers, suggesting that current measures may not be sufficient … Read more