NFU urges farmers to check NVZs after Defra reduces area by nine per cent
The NFU has issued an open letter to its members urging them to check if they still remain under a NVZ designation after Defra issued a revised map showing a nine per cent reduction in the area of farmland affected.
The NFU has lobbied hard for a review of the NVZ areas and the new map issued today takes into account the decisions of the NVZ Independent Panel on the 760 appeals farmers that have made.
NFU Vice President Gwyn Jones said: This is undoubtedly good news for thousands of farmers who will benefit from these changes and for the NFU as it lobbied for an independent review of NVZs.
Even those farmers that havent appealed personally may have land removed from the NVZs as a result of appeals by other farmers. It is important everyone checks their designation for potential changes.
For those who are released from the cost and complexity of the recently revised NVZ Action Programme this will be a tremendous relief. For those of us who remain within NVZs we must hope and work to ensure that this represents a turning point in the insidious creep of NVZ designations across the country. Too many farmers remain within NVZs and much work remains to be done to minimise designations. The NFU will keep up its efforts on farmers behalf.
- The NFU is part of the industry-led Tried and Tested nutrient management plan to help farmers manage nutrients and manures
- The changes relate to 18 catchments in England only, listed on Defras website, some are substantial and affect hundreds of farms. In addition to these catchments, there have also been at least 150 other relatively small reductions in designated areas. Regions affected are: