FARMERS in the region have warned that tighter controls on spreading muck could cause a real stink for their neighbours.

They fear tougher regulations may reduce the period for spreading to just a couple of weeks - and the extra storage capacity required could put many out of business.

Martin Burtt, a dairy farmer in Whitby, North Yorkshire, said: "If 70 or 80 per cent of farmers start spreading their muck in a confined period, the smell factor will be unbelievable."

Another farmer said he had a food factory, school and housing next to his farm and feared their reaction.

Mr Burtt, who was chairing the North-East Dairy Board meeting of the National Farmers' Union at Penistone, near Barnsley, said it defied good agricultural practice.

He said: "All we want to be able to do is spread muck or slurry on the land when the conditions are right."

He was speaking ahead of a Government consultation on tightening its Nitrate Vulnerable Zone regulations, which are designed to reduce nitrate levels in watercourses.

It is understood it would extend the ban on spreading muck from September until the end of January - leaving only a couple of weeks when it could take place.

The other major concern is the amount of extra slurry storage capacity every dairy farm would need.

Mr Burtt extended his own storage facilities three years ago and it cost £40,000.

He said: "It was a lot of money and you can jack that up to at least £50,000 now. This requirement is going to have as much impact as milk quotas did. It will force a lot of farmers out of business, it is as plain and simple as that - but that is not what the country wants."

David Shaw, vice-chairman of the board, who farms near York, said the impact on the dairy industry could not be over-emphasised.

He said: "The financial situation is such that we cannot pay for the structures which will be needed."