Farmers have welcomed the Government's decision to extend the period for spreading slurry to the end of November.
Under EU nitrates regulations, farmers are banned from spreading slurry between mid-October and January.
The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness said that pressurising farmers into a strict regime of farming by dates never made sense and should be reviewed.
Due to bad weather conditions in recent months, farmers decided for environmental reasons not to spread slurry on their land in case it entered rivers and streams.
The Minister for the Environment John Gormley said a sensible approach had been taken given the unprecedented levels of rainfall in August.
IFA urges rethink on Budget cuts
Irish Farmers' Association President Padraig Walshe has called on the Government to revisit the Budget cuts imposed on farmers.
However, the Taoiseach has said there will not be any changes to the Budget to meet farmers' demands.
He said any changes that have been made have come from Ministers making savings in their departments within the parameters of the Budget.
He said Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith has outlined the position based on the allocations he has.
The Taoiseach added that Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin, was able to maintain the Disability Grants because she found savings within her department.
Mr Walshe said the cuts were unacceptable, disproportionate and discriminatory.
He was speaking at a meeting in Tullamore last night attended by more than 1,000 sheep farmers.
The meeting was also addressed by Minister Smith. He stressed that difficult decisions had to be taken in the Budget and it was unfortunate that they were having an adverse impact on some people.
