NVZ area extension likely

It is looking increasingly likely that as from some time in April 2008 the existing Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) in England will be extended.

For land that was not part of a NVZ prior to these new regulations coming into force there is a transitional period of one year before the majority of the new regulations apply, with a period of up to another year for the remainder of the new regulations.

The major changes which will apply to producers in the newly designated areas relate to Nitrogen spreading limits, organic manure storage facilities, organic manure storage capacities and periods when no spreading of organic or in-organic manures will be allowed, writes Andy Dyer of H & H Bowe.

The principle areas of change are likely to be in connection with the reduction in the whole holding application limit in any one calendar year, of organic manures whether directly from the animal or by spreading, from the current allowance of 250 Kg N/Ha to a new limit of 170 Kg N/ha. Together with the designation of specific closed periods when no organic manures can be spread, with the need to increase storage capacity.

With the major change for those currently within the existing NVZs being that these closed periods will apply across all soil types. Individual field applications of up to 250 Kg N/ha in any one calendar year will still be allowed, however this will have to be balanced by reductions elsewhere on the holding. Individual field by field assessments of Nitrogen needs for individual crops will be required.

This information can be obtained from a number of sources, the main ones being the DEFRA publication RB209 or one of the software packages available. Accurate calculation of storage capacity is also part of the proposed new regulations. With regards to the specific closed periods, when no in-organic fertiliser can be applied, these will be dependant to some extent on cropping within the relevant fields.

There will be a need on some farms to increase storage capacity in order to have 22 weeks storage facility on farm (including calculation of any rainfall falling on the store) and the location of any field stores for solid manures will need to be carefully planned and their location changed each year.

Farmers within the new NVZs are also going to have to get to grips with an increased requirement for accurate record keeping and manure management planning. With a requirement to have completed a written risk assessment of potential nitrate pollution within one year of the regulations coming into force, it is obvious that there is going to be an increasing amount of paperwork to be dealt with. Accurate control of nitrogen applications is becoming increasingly necessary, particularly given the high price of bagged fertiliser.

For those farmers who currently spread slurry, and with no high trajectory high pressure equipment allowed under the proposed new regulations, the implications are potentially going to be costly in terms of the need to invest in new machinery or making use of contractors. As is already the case incorporation of slurries or manures must take place within 24 hours if spreading organic manures on bare soil or stubbles.

The increased regulation and paperwork is likely to make some farmers look very closely at how they run their business. As the proposed regulations are a Statutory Instrument, enforced by the Environment Agency, then the potential impact of a reduction in Single Farm Payments and further fines are a possibility if these regulations are breached.

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