Farmers who fail to notify Natural Resources Wales (NRW) before starting constructing or reconstructing a silage or slurry store risk being fined.

A new requirement to notify NRW 14 days before construction starts of any new, substantially improved or reconstructed store used for silage or slurry was introduced in April 2021 but advisers say many farmers are unaware of this.

Roger Parry & Partners regularly works with farmers to successfully gain planning permission for new stores for the storage of silage or slurry on the farm.

But one of its consultants, Gail Jenkins, pointed out: “Many farmers are unaware, however, of this requirement to notify NRW 14 days before the construction work starts

“Those that don’t notify NRW, risk prosecution or an unlimited fine.”

Making the notification is a cross-compliance requirement under Statutory Management Requirement (SMR) 1 – Water Protection.

A form is available on the NRW website, which should be used to notify it of any “new, substantially reconstructed, or enlarged facility that farmers intend to use for storing silage or slurry, including field and non-baled, bagged silage sites”.

Although the regulation states that farmers must make a notification at least 14 days before construction starts, NRW prefers this to be done at the design stage, to prevent possible costly errors.