Environment Hub

Slurry Stores

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

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.

Grants and Allowances

The Catchment Sensitive Farming Capital Grants Scheme has now closed for 2009/10, but slurry stores now qualify as Plant & Machinery under the HMRC's Capital Allowance Scheme. This means that 100% of the first £50,000 expenditure on a new store may be offset against income to reduce tax. Until the end of the 09/10 tax year, a 40% write-down is available as a First Year Allowance.

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.