NVZ limits on arable land to decrease on 19 December 2006

Defra and the Environment Agency are reminding farmers in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs), that the whole farm organic manure loading limit, for any areas of their farm not in grass, will drop from 210 kg N/ha/yr to 170 kg N/ha/yr on the 19th December 2006.

This rule applies to all farms in England and Wales that were designated in 2002 and use organic manures, whether producing or
receiving them.

Farmers with land not in grass will need to calculate whether they have enough land available for spreading all their manure, to ensure they remain compliant with this lower limit. Guidance to help with this calculation can be found in the Defra booklet 'Manure Planning in NVZs - England'.

www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/forms/agri_env/nvz/nvz5.htm

The change in limit is set out in the current Regulations (SI 2002/2614) and Defra has outlined the details in its booklet
'Guidelines for Farmers in NVZs -England' on page 11:

www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/forms/agri_env/nvz/nvz4.htm

Defra is currently undertaking a review of the action programme and no other changes to the rules will be made until consultation on proposals to revise the measures has taken place.

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