Nitrates Action Programme 2011 to 2014 - Have Your Say
Jayne Armstrong
Countryside Management Delivery Branch, DARD
The Nitrates Action Programme sets out measures to reduce nitrates from agricultural sources entering our water. The current action programme has been in place since 2007, and must be reviewed by the end of 2010 with an updated programme put in place to operate from 2011 - 2014. A joint DARD and DOE consultation on the proposed changes for 2011-2014 is taking place and closes on the 13 August 2010.
The key proposed changes are:-
- Introduce a closed period for spreading of farmyard manure from 31 October until 31 January.
- Reduce the length of time farmyard manure maybe stored in a field, prior to spreading, from 180 days to 90 days.
- From 31 December 2012, prohibit the field storage of farmyard manure, during the closed period for spreading.
- Prohibit the storage of poultry litter in field heaps from 1 January 2011.
- Amend the definition of steeply sloping land which will prohibit fertiliser and manure applications on grassland and arable land with a slope of greater than 20 percent and 15 percent respectively.
- Remove the provision that fertilisers may be applied to steeply sloping land if it is judged there is no risk of causing water pollution.
- Increase the no spreading distance for chemical nitrogen fertiliser from 1.5 metres to 2 metres from any waterway.
- Include a requirement for farmers to manage silage effluent collection and storage facilities to prevent pollution.
- Adopt new values for pig nitrogen excretion rates and the total nitrogen content of pig slurry.
Following the consultation process, DARD and DOE will meet the European Commission to agree the Action Programme for 2011-2014. The aim is to have the new Regulations in place by 1 January 2011.
If you wish to find out more information about the proposed changes you can access the consultation paper on-line at www.dardni.gov.uk
or www.doeni.gov.uk.
or www.doeni.gov.uk.