Slurry Storage and Management

A valuable source of nutrients when used appropriately, slurry can help reduce the cost of and reliance on artificial fertiliser.

Slurry is a highly polluting substance and can cause serious damage to the water environment if not carefully managed. The storage of slurry and both application methods and timing are governed by the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011, often referred to as the Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR).

Recent amendments to the CAR guidelines came into force on 1st January 2022 which brought previous regulations around Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil (SSAFO) into one set of regulations. The Farming & Water Scotland webpage has a full breakdown of what the changes are, explains the transition timetable for new regulations depending on current storage facilities and farm types, and also covers the application and storage of digestate.