Wednesday 23rd September, 2026
Welsh Government has announced a proposed temporary change in legislation allowing the closed period for slurry spreading to be shortened by one month this winter.
This means that farmers could be permitted to spread slurry up until mid-November rather than stopping on the 15th October, cutting by a third the no-spreading period introduced by the previous Government to protect rivers from pollution.
2026 has been tough for farmers
It must be acknowledged that this has been a tough year for farmers.
Drought conditions have meant that grass cutting will be carried out later than usual, thus delaying opportunities to empty slurry tanks onto fields. Welsh Government has also argued that an extension for spreading will help prevent river pollution because slurry stores could otherwise overflow.
Plaid Cymru committed to delivering evidence-based change. But while the conditions of the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations are currently under review for permanent amendments, independent evidence presented to date has not supported a change in slurry spreading closed period.
This move by Welsh Government appears therefore to be based more on convenience for farmers than any scientific evidence.
Measures to protect rivers remain
Regardless of the dates for the closed period for slurry spreading, the existing pollution prevention measures for spreading within the regulations remain and must still be adhered to.
Importantly, even within the proposed extension, this includes not spreading during wet conditions and for there to be a crop need so that the nutrients are taken up, rather than sitting there waiting to be washed into a river when it next rains.
When there is no crop need, slurry is no longer a fertiliser and falls under much more stringent waste regulations.
Enforcement will be key
Last winter there were numerous reports of spreading activity during the closed period and in conflict with these other regulatory requirements to protect rivers, especially in West Wales.
So, as always, whether or not this decision threatens Welsh rivers depends on the capacity and will of Natural Resources Wales’s enforcement function.
While the regulator has stepped up its agricultural inspections in recent years, high risk areas are still not being prioritised and enforcement presence on the ground is low. Welsh Government must provide additional and rapid support to the regulator to ensure this is in place for the extended spreading period.
While we still await its long-anticipated enforcement report for 2025, what is certain is that Natural Resources Wales will need to be on the ball this winter. If pollution continues to occur from slurry spreading, especially if it happens during the spreading extension period, there will be serious questions for the regulator and Welsh Government to answer.