Poultry farmers in Northern Ireland have been left with mounting manure stockpiles after the suspension of all exports to the Republic of Ireland at the start of June.

The suspension was triggered by the Shared Environmental Services (SES) in Northern Ireland, which raised concerns that spreading poultry manure in border areas could affect designated European sites located in the Republic.

The move has also disrupted fertiliser supplies for farmers in the Republic, who rely on imported poultry manure as a source of nutrients. With chemical fertiliser prices rising sharply, the loss of this organic alternative is placing additional financial strain on the sector.

Martin Kenny TD, Sinn Féin’s agriculture spokesperson, raised the issue in the Dáil, calling for the suspension to be lifted and for the Irish government to engage with Northern Ireland authorities to resolve the matter.

Kenny also highlighted the need for greater all-island cooperation on nutrient management. He noted that there is a surplus of phosphorus in land in the North and a deficit in the South, making the cross-border transfer of poultry manure a logical and mutually beneficial arrangement.