Poultry litter is, possibly, the most effective source of organic manure available to Irish grassland and tillage farmers.
It contains high levels of nitrogen (N) potash (K) and phosphate (P).
Moreover, ever larger quantities of the material are becoming available across the island of Ireland, reflecting the fast-expanding footprint of poultry meat sector.
Litter is best applied as a prior to ploughing in preparation for a cereal crop, potatoes, fodder beet or forage maize.
Incorporating the litter into the soil significantly reduces the threat of botulism that can be carried by decomposing, dead birds that, from time to time, can feature within the material
Given the significance of poultry litter as a soil nutrient, the vice chair of Northern Ireland's Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee, Declan McAleer, has called for urgent progress on removing barriers to the cross-border movement of the material.
He recently highlighted this matter in the Northern Ireland Assembly after a North/South Ministerial Council meeting, urging greater all-island cooperation on nutrient management to support farmers and deliver environmental benefits.
The West Tyrone MLA said he raised the issue of "ongoing barriers preventing the cross-border movement of poultry litter".
McAleer added: ''There is a well-established imbalance across the island, with a surplus of phosphorus in the north and a deficit in the south.
"This creates a clear opportunity for a practical and mutually beneficial solution through the export of poultry litter.
“However, despite demand from farmers in the south, those in the north remain unable to avail of this option."
According to McAleer, this is not a new issue.
"It has been under discussion for a considerable period and continues to be a source of frustration for the agri-food sector," he said.
"Farmers on both sides of the border stand to benefit, yet progress has been limited.
According to McAleer, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Andrew Muir, acknowledged the challenges relating to these matters and confirmed that the issue has been discussed at North/South level, particularly through the agriculture sectoral format.
Minister Muir also indicated his intention to engage further with Shared Environmental Services, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and other stakeholder organisations in an effort to identify a workable solution.
McAleer said: ''While this commitment to engagement is welcome, it must now translate into tangible progress.
"This is an all-island challenge that requires coordinated action and political leadership.
“I will continue to press for a resolution that supports farmers, improves nutrient management and delivers environmental benefits on an all-island basis.”
Dáil Éireann
Barriers to cross-border movements of poultry litter has also been raised in Dáil Éireann this week.
Deputy Martin Kenny, Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture, has called on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to make efforts to ensure the continued movement of poultry manure from Northern Ireland.
Deputy Kenny said that, since the start of June, the importation of poultry manure from Northern Ireland has been suspended.
This is apparently due to objections raised by Northern Ireland's Shared Environmental Services (SES), which oversees the habitats and nature functions of Northern Ireland's local councils.
According to Deputy Kenny, the SES is concerned that poultry manure from Northern Ireland could be spread on or near designated land in the Republic of Ireland.
The Sinn Féin agriculture spokesperson raised the issue in the Dáil on Thursday, June 11, where Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke was taking questions.
Minister Burke did not give an undertaking for the government to address the issue, but he did say he would raise the matter with the Department of Agriculture, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon.