DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (293/08) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 4 September 2008
Defra has
published regulations extending the areas of England designated as
Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) from 55% to around 70%.
This reflects the Government's decision to continue
designating the zones on a selective basis rather than adopt the
whole territory approach of some Member States.
The Regulations also make changes to the Action Programme
specifying actions which farmers in NVZs must take to reduce and
prevent nitrate leaching and run-off to waters from manures and fertilisers.
Environment Minister Phil Woolas welcomed the new regulations and
acknowledged that they will impact on farmers. He said:
"Farmers have a key role to play in ensuring that we have a
thriving farming sector, and at the same time improving the impact
on our environment. These regulations will be challenging, which
is why I shall be writing very shortly to all NVZ farmers alerting
them to the extensive advice and support programme which will be
rolled out over the coming months, with both national and regional
events as well as a dedicated helpline.
"There's a really important debate to be had on an
expanding role for anaerobic digestion, and its potential
contribution to manure management. I am already in discussion with
farming groups and other interested sectors about how we address
the barriers to its increased take up."
Changes to the Action Programme come into force on 1 January
2009, although some of the Action Programme measures have a grace
period for compliance of up to three years to allow farmers time
to make necessary adjustments to their farming practices, or
capital investment such as storage facilities. The planned package
of measures to support farmers includes a dedicated helpline,
detailed guidance to be issued in October, and an extensive
advisory programme, details of which will be announced shortly.
The main changes in the revised Action Programme relate to:
* A whole farm limit of 170 kg per hectare for nitrogen from
livestock manures, which applies to all land (currently grassland
has a limit of 250 kg). The Government has previously confirmed
that it will pursue a derogation from the European Commission on
this limit;
* Closed periods for spreading organic manures, which will be
longer and will apply to all soil types;
* Manure storage capacity requirements, which have been amended
to reduce the risk of manures being spread when conditions are
unsuitable; and
* The introduction of forward planning rules to ensure nitrogen
applications from manures and fertilisers are more accurately
directed to crop needs..
Mr Woolas added:
"Protecting natural resources, in particular improving the
quality of water, the condition of natural habitats and enhancing
biodiversity, are key objectives for Defra. The significant amount
of nitrogen entering waters from agriculture is one problem that
needs to be tackled if these objectives are to be achieved. This
problem is highlighted by an increase in nitrate pollution in some
areas of the country in recent years. We are determined to tackle
the problem by increasing the area covered by NVZs and
strengthening the Action Programme measures."
Maps showing the revised areas will be available via the OPSI and
Defra websites, and at http://nvz.adasis.co.uk/maps from early
next week. Farmers will have until 31 January 2009 to lodge an
appeal if they believe their land has been wrongly designated.
Aside from the measures in the Action Programme which will apply
in NVZs, farmers nationally will be encouraged to apply good
practice in their use and management of nutrients. An updated
Code of Good Agricultural Practice will be published in the autumn
which includes guidance in this area.
Notes for Editors
1. The Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008 (SI2349
September 2008) implement the Nitrates Directive in England. Defra
consulted on draft changes to the existing regulations last August
and these new regulations took full account of the responses to
that consultation. Defra's response to the consultation and
information on wider nitrates issues can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/Environment/water/quality/nitrate/default.htm.
2. The Nitrates Directive was adopted in Europe in 1991 and is
the main policy mechanism available to Defra for tackling water
pollution caused by nitrogen from agricultural sources. It
requires farmers within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones to follow an
Action Programme of measures aimed at controlling when, where,
how, and in what amount, nitrogen can be applied to land. Areas
are identified as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones on the basis that they
drain to waters which have, or are likely to have, nitrate levels
above 50 mg per litre, or that they are eutrophic or likely to
become eutrophic.
3. The designated areas and the Action Programme are reviewed
every four years. The Directive prescribes certain measures which
must be included in member states' Action Programmes.
4. Evidence from the recent reviews showed that to meet the
environmental objectives of the Directive and the more demanding
objectives of the Water Framework Directive more areas in England
need to be designated as NVZs and Action Programme measures needed
to revised.
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