Nitrate warning as new NVZ map looms

Farmers are being urged to act now to avoid the risk of falling foul of planned changes to the Nitrate Variable Zone (NVZ) map.

The map, which shows the 59% of the country where strict rules on the use of nitrates apply, was re-drawn in the summer. It comes into force from 1 January 2013 and will affect the majority of English farms – some for the first time.

Farms within an NVZ must observe restrictions on the quantity of fertiliser and farm yard manure that can be spread and the times of year it can be spread in order to prevent nitrate pollution to water supplies.

Strict rules apply to record-keeping and reporting to ensure farms can prove to Defra exactly what they have used on their fields and when. Failure to comply with the new reporting regulations could result in fines or even prosecution.

Nigel Parsons, MD of rural software specialist Landmark Systems, said: “Farmers who have land within an NVZ are required to keep detailed records of all fertilisers and manures applied to land and they must be in a position to present that information to the authorities on demand.

“This can be a complex and time-consuming operation, particularly when you take into account the need to calculate average application strengths over the course of a year, and farmers are advised to consider using software which is specifically designed to capture and present NVZ data.”

The potential administration costs of the revised scheme are significant. For livestock farmers new to an NVZ area, for example, they have been estimated at £8.70 per hectare for year 1 falling to £3.75 per hectare in subsequent years. Further costs are likely to be incurred because of new rules on the storage of slurry.

Chris Spiby, who runs a 500 strong dairy herd in Chichester, said: “Farmers like myself who are going to find themselves under the new NVZ regime really need to think hard about what the new regulations mean for them.

“The administration costs are huge and the penalties for getting it wrong are extremely serious. We have also calculated that it could cost us up to £200,000 to ensure our storage complies with the regulations.

“Now is the time for farmers to ensure that their recording systems are in place and operating to provide correct information.”