Environment

Soil and Manures

NVZs

The periodic review of the Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) is under way. The review will be taking account of some specific issues raised formally by the European Commission.

Overall, the Commission wishes to see an Action Programme that:

Meets the objectives of the Nitrates Directive
Provides clear direction for farmers as to the actions they should be taking to reduce nitrate pollution of waters , and
Provides a legal basis for enforcement action

Added Value From Pig Manures and Slurries

NVZ Implementation Timetable

DRAFT STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2008 No.
AGRICULTURE, ENGLAND
WATER
The Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Regulations 2008

Part 1: Introduction 6 April 2008

Within 1 year after these Regulations come into force -
Organic manure - written assessment of potential nitrate pollution from spreading, to include map of the holding with stipulations as to what is shown. Assessment to be up-dated within three months of change in circumstances.

Does not apply until 1 Year after these Regulations come into force -
Land not part of an existing NVZ immediately:

Application of livestock manure - nitrogen limits
Spreading organic manure - nitrogen limits
Imported and exported manure - assessing N content and records
Crop requirement limitation
Field inspections - before spreading
Areas in which spreading of fertilizer is prohibited
Conditions in which the spreading of fertilizer is prohibited
Controlling how nitrogen fertilizer is spread - includes organic manures
Times in which spreading manufactured fertilizer is prohibited
Organic manure - written assessment of potential pollution from spreading

Does not apply until 2 Years after these Regulations come into force -

Storage capacity for livestock manure (Regulation 19)

Does not apply on a holding until 2 Years after these Regulations come into force or until storage capacity is established on the holding if earlier -

Times in which spreading organic manure is prohibited (Regulation 17)

Minimum availability of nitrogen in organic manure to be used when calculating crop nitrogen requirement limitation:
Until 1st January 2012:

Pig slurry 25%
Farmyard manure 10%

From 1st January 2012:

Pig slurry 45%
Farmyard manure 10%

Note: This information has been compiled using the draft Statutory Instrument named above and is subject to change. This summary has been prepared for information purposes only. No responsibility is taken by BPEX for any inaccuracies or omissions it may contain.

For further information click here

NVZ Consultations

Defra have launched three inter connected consultations aimed at reducing pollution resulting from agricultural activity. The implications for the livestock sector are significant, and the majority of commercial pig production will be affected in one way or another.

Revised Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Action Programme. This is seeking views on a tightening of the rules including increasing the land area designated as NVZ's.

Code of Good Agricultural Practice to protect water, soil and air quality. The existing Water, Air and Soil codes are modernised and combined into one document, 136 pages now, down from a total of 234. Parts of the Code fall within the revisions to the NVZ rules.

Consultation on diffuse sources in England. This looks to address obligations under the Water Framework Directive, and seeks to tackle water pollution from phosphates, sedimentation and faecal Indicator Organisms. It puts forward the concept of Water Protection Zones where they seek to be able to restrict or prohibit activities or 'require' activities to be under taken by a polluter. There are direct links to NVZ requirements as actions to limit phosphate pollution may go beyond those considered necessary to control nitrates. There is a danger that this consultation will be over shadowed by the more immediate impacts of the NVZ proposals, for some this may be the more serious in the long term.

Links:

Soil

The BPEX soil management plan is a tool to help keepers of outdoor pigs assess the risks of soil erosion and damage to the land they occupy and identify suitable measures to take to prevent and record this. The plan is not a substitute for the Soil Protection Review or ELS Plan where these are needed. The soil management plan is a working document for farmers to use before moving onto a new site, during occupancy and finally on vacation. This will demonstrate diligence to landlords, regulators and inspectors.

Soil Management Plan For Outdoor Pig Keepers
Land Management Plan - Field Characteristic Sheet

Applied Research Forum Soil Information Gateway
www.appliedresearchforum.org.uk/soils

Good soil management is fundamental for productive and sustainable agriculture.

Through the Applied Research Forum (ARF), the agricultural levy bodies have been able to work together to look at the importance of a rotational approach to soil management. In addition, the ARF have been able to gain a wider understanding of soil management issues that may arise as a result of sector specific activities, and the mitigation and remedial techniques adopted by the respective sectors.

The Soils Information Gateway provides a central resource for soil management issues and includes a series of soil-related best practice case studies. See below.

Soil Strategy Case Study

Updated information will appear on the BPEX website as it becomes available.

For more information

Defra: http://www.defra.gov.uk/Environment/water/quality/nitrate/nvz.htm

ADAS: http://nvz.adasis.co.uk/maps/index.html