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Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations: Guidance available for farmers about the appeals process

   

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Ref: 385/08
Date: 10 December 2008

Advice for farmers wishing to appeal against the designation of their land within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) is now available on the Defra website.

The new Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations come into force on 1 January 2009 and update the UK’s implementation of the 1991 EU Nitrates Directive.

Appeals may be made free of charge on either or both of the following grounds:

  • the land does not drain into water that has been identified as polluted;
  • the land drains into water that should not have been identified as polluted.

The closing date for submitting an application is 31 January 2009. Further guidance on the process and an application form will be available at:   www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/quality/nitrate/nvz2008.htm 

Meetings to help those with land within NVZs to meet the new regulations are being organised throughout England. Representatives from Natural England and the Environment Agency will give short presentations and be available to offer advice and answer questions. Farmers and landowners can find out about events in their region through the helpline and at www.crosscompliance.org.uk/cms/nvz, or ring 0845 345 1302 to book on to an event.

Notes to editors

  1. More information on the Nitrates Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008 is available at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/quality/nitrate
  2. A helpline is available to answers technical queries from farmers and advisers.  The telephone number is 0845 345 1302 (Monday – Friday, 7am – 7pm until 31 March 2009).  Calls will be charged at the local rate.
  3. NVZ guidance leaflets covering different aspects of the new rules are available on the Defra website at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/quality/nitrate
  4. Software tools developed to provide extra help with some of the calculations required under the new rules.  These are available free of charge by visiting www.planet4farmers.co.uk or telephoning 08456 023864.

End

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Page published: 10 December 2008