Farm leaders are holding urgent talks after extreme cold weather left Scottish livestock farms unable to spread slurry.

NFU Scotland is working with enforcement authorities to find a common-sense solution to the temporary problem of slurry storage and disposal.

The prolonged cold snap has made it impossible for livestock producers to comply with rules that ban slurry spreading on fields either frozen or covered with snow.

This is the third week during which virtually all of Scotland’s farmland has been has been affected and some slurry stores on farms are nearing capacity.

NFU Scotland policy director, Scott Walker said: “The long-running cold snap is causing a real headache for those farmers needing to dispose of slurry.”

For those farmers in areas not affected by Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) legislation, the enforcement agency is the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Discussions between NFUS and SEPA have seen the agency recognise that where stores are full, a farmer has little choice but to spread slurry.

But before this happens, the farmer must contact his local SEPA office.

Mr Wallker said: “We welcome the common-sense approach shown by SEPA in recognising the problems faced by those farmers operating in the non-NVZ areas.

“For those farmers struggling for slurry storage, they must contact their local SEPA office and explain their situation and circumstances before they spread.”

But the Scottish government, which is the enforcement area for NVZ areas, has so far been less sympathetic.

NFU Scotland discussions with Scottish government officials have yet to identify a pragmatic solution to alleviate the pressure on livestock keepers in NVZs.

Mr Walker said “We have yet to get the Scottish government to agree to a similar approach being taken in NVZ areas.

“That is disappointing and we will continue to discuss the matter with officials in the hope that this can be resolved.”