Environment Sensitive Farming - Practical Advice For Land Managers

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NVZ update August 2007

Defra’s proposals for the revision of the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) and the Action Programme measures that apply therein, were released on 21 August. The period for the agricultural industry to respond has now been extended to 13 December.  Defra is working towards introducing the revised reguations from spring 2008.  The Environment Sensitive Farming team will be holding a series of farmer events on this and related topics over the coming months. 

Current measures, introduced in December 2002, to cut nitrate losses from agriculture have not fully achieved their environmental objectives.

This has meant that Defra has had to take a fresh look at the areas designated as NVZs and at the NVZ Action Programme measures. The proposed changes are:

• The area of NVZs will increase from 55% to about 70% of England (see map). This is because additional waters affected by nitrate pollution have been identified. Defra is seeking views on whether to apply the Action Programme throughout the whole of England.
• A reduction in the whole farm livestock manure N loading limit for grassland from 250kg/ha to 170kg/ha of total N per calendar year. The limit for arable land had already dropped to 170kg/ha from 210kg/ha in December 2006. As before this amount is averaged across the whole farmed area. In the consultation Defra is seeking views on whether there is a convincing justification which would let them apply for a derogation to allow loadings of above 170kg/ha for some grassland farms.
• The requirement that no more than 250kg/ha of organic manure total N should be applied to any field in any calendar year remains unchanged from current measures.
• Longer closed spreading periods for organic manures on all soil types. These would be for between 3 and 5 months depending on rainfall, soil type and land use - arable or grass. The longest period runs from 1 August to 31 December. Previously, closed spreading periods of 2 to 3 months were confined to sandy or shallow soils. Closed periods are intended to minimise leaching loss.
• A minimum manure storage capacity of 26 weeks (pig slurry and poultry manure) or 22 weeks (cattle and other slurry) to allow farms to have sufficient storage capacity to bridge the closed periods with a buffer at either end in case of bad weather.

• Nitrogen applications (fertiliser N plus crop available manure N) must balance the crop N requirement allowing for soil N supply. The average nitrogen application rate across the farm for a particular crop must not exceed the maximum (Nmax) allowed rate. The calculation must allow for a minimum value of manure N efficiency.

• 8t/ha feed wheat on clay soil – 220kg/ha
• 10t/ha feed wheat on shallow soil – 280kg/ha
• 9t/ha milling wheat on clay soil – 280kg/ha
• 3.5t/ha oilseed rape – 220kg/ha (spring N)
• Potatoes – 270kg/ha
• Grass – 360kg/ha (330kg/ha after Jan 2012)

• The use of high trajectory, high pressure application techniques for spreading organic manures will be prohibited.
• A written risk assessment will be required to identify suitable locations for organic manure applications; in other words a Manure Management Plan.
• Organic manures with high available N (e.g. cattle slurry, pig slurry and poultry manures) applied to bare soil or stubble must be incorporated within 24 hours.
• Natural regeneration or sown cover crops will be required where ground would otherwise be bare over-winter, except following crops harvested after 1 September.
• Records must be kept for at least 5 years including all field-level N fertiliser and manure applications, compliance calculations and manure imports/exports. This is an expansion of current requirements.

Full details can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waterpollution-nitrates/index.htm.

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