Nitrate vulnerable zones extended
‘Nitrate vulnerable zones’ in England will be extended from 55% to around 70% under new regulations published by Defra.
From January 2009, farmers in NVZ’s will have to step up action to cut the amount of nitrates from fertiliser and manures that get into rivers. The revised Action Programme will include restricting the times of year that fertiliser can be spread on land and storing excess manure.
Innovative technology which turns organic matter into biogas – a renewable source of energy and a transport fuel – could play an important part in helping farmers meet these new environmental rules.
Treating the manure in on-farm anaerobic digestion plants while it is being stored could produce biogas, which farmers could use as a source of energy. The treated manure can be returned to the soil as fertiliser.
Phil Woolas acknowledged that there are still hurdles to be overcome, saying:
“Tackling pollution from agriculture is central to boosting the quality of our water environment. Left unchecked it can have serious effects on local rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters, and the plantlife and wildlife that depend on those.
“Anaerobic digestion is an exciting and innovative technology, and it is clear we are not making full use of its potential. I know from talking to the farming industry that there are barriers to enabling its wider take up by farmers and that’s something I have promised to look at.”
Defra and its delivery bodies’ (Natural England and Environment Agency) planned package of measures to support farmers will include a dedicated helpline, detailed guidance to be issued in October, and an extensive advisory programme, details of which will be announced shortly. An updated Code of Good Agricultural Practice will also be published in the autumn which includes guidance in this area.
Further information
- Maps showing the revised NVZ 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.
- News release.
Page published: 4 September 2008