The Nitrates Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

General obligations as to storage facilities for livestock manure

11.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) and regulations 14 and 16, the capacity of storage facilities for livestock manure of a holding shall be sufficient and adequate to provide for the storage of all the livestock manure which is likely to require storage on the holding for such period as may be necessary to ensure compliance with these Regulations and the avoidance of water pollution.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), the controller shall have due regard to the storage capacity likely to be needed by the holding during periods of adverse weather conditions when, due to extended periods of wet weather, frozen ground or otherwise, the application to land of livestock manure is not permitted.

(3) Subject to regulation 12, the total livestock manure storage capacity on holdings shall be sufficient for at least 22 weeks storage.

(4) All storage facilities for livestock manure and silage effluent shall be maintained free of structural defect, shall be of such standard as is necessary to prevent run-off or seepage, directly or indirectly, into a waterway or water contained in any underground strata and where applicable shall comply with The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 and any amending Regulations.