Nitrates - reducing water pollution from agriculture
Nitrate levels in many English waters, both ground and surface waters, either remain high or are increasing. Nitrate pollution is of concern because it has to be removed before water can be supplied to consumers, and it can harm the water environment. Over 60% of nitrate enters water from agricultural land.
The following pages provide details of action to reduce agricultural nitrate pollution, which is one aspect of the broader problem of diffuse pollution from agriculture.
News
14 January 2009 – Independent NVZ appeals panel extend deadline for submission of supporting evidence to 10 March 2009 associated Information Bulletin 09/09
30 December 2008 – Read about the NVZ workshops for farmers in the latest edition of Farming Link.
10 December 2008 – Guidance on how to submit an appeal against designation as NVZs published
15 October 2008 – Guidance for farmers in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones published
9 September 2008 – New nitrate regulations laid before Parliament and updated NVZ maps are published
21 July 2008 –Government Response to the consultation on how we implement the Nitrates Directive in England
Information on action taken to date to implement the Nitrates Directive in England is provided in the following pages:
- Diffuse water pollution from agriculture
The Nitrates Directive in England
- The EC Nitrates Directive and its implementation in England
- Maps of the NVZs in England
- Methodology used to identify NVZs
- Appeals process against designation of land as an NVZ
- Description of the key rules that farmers with land in NVZs have to follow
- Enforcement
- Guidance, advice and support available to farmers in NVZs
- A range of guidance, advice and other relevant material
Page last modified: 22 January 2009
Page published: 27 June 2002