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Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity
SECTION 5
NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS
Nitrate concentration in rivers and groundwaters has been increasing in recent decades in many areas of Scotland. This is a cause for concern for two main reasons. Firstly, because of possible risks to human health posed by high levels of nitrate in drinking water. Secondly, elevated levels of nitrate are considered to be significant contributors to eutrophication in coastal waters.
The Protection of Water against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution (Scotland) Regulations 1996 implements the requirements of EC Nitrates Directive. The Regulations require SEERAD to designate Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) where surface freshwaters or groundwaters exceed, or could exceed, 50 mg/litre of nitrates and where waters are, or may become, eutrophic. Action Programme Regulations will be introduced to such NVZs to reduce nitrate pollution.
Action Programme Regulations may be different for each NVZ or parts of NVZs and as such, this section only gives a broad outline of requirements. Further details are available in the individual action programme for each NVZ. Phosphorus can also contribute to eutrophication of freshwaters and agricultural land can be a significant source of phosphorus input to watercourses particularly by soil erosion. The risk of nitrate and phosphorus from fertilisers and organic manures reaching a watercourse can be minimised by following the mandatory and voluntary measures given in this section.
Until such time as the 1997 PEPFAA Code is reviewed, those who wish to know more about this section should refer to the Nitrogen and Phosphorus Supplement which sets out guidance in greater detail.
MANDATORY FOR FARMERS IN NITRATE VULNERABLE ZONES (NVZs)
DOs Comply with the statutory requirements of the Action Programme Regulations if you are farming within an NVZ. - Prepare and implement a fertiliser and manure plan.
- Ensure that adequate records are kept for land within NVZs relating to livestock numbers, use of inorganic fertiliser and use of organic manures.
Ensure that minimum storage requirements for livestock manure are provided for the purposes of NVZ Action Programme Regulations, taking account of the need to comply with the Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (Scotland) Regulations 2001. - Locate any field midden at least 10m away from any clean surface water or field drain or watercourse and at least 50m from any spring, well or borehole.
Take account of 'local environmental factors' before applying nitrogen fertilisers. This includes: - Soil conditions, type and slope.
- Climatic conditions, rainfall and irrigation.
- Land use and agricultural practice, including crop rotation systems.
Apply nitrogen fertilisers as precisely as possible. | DON'Ts Apply chemical fertiliser (containing nitrogen) within closed periods in NVZ Action Programme Regulations unless there is a specific crop requirement. Apply chemical fertiliser (containing nitrogen) in a location or manner which makes it likely that the fertiliser will directly enter a watercourse. Apply organic manure where the application would result in the total nitrogen (in kilograms) contained in organic manure exceeding permitted rates in NVZ Action Programme Regulations. Apply slurry, poultry manures or liquid digested sewage sludge to sandy or shallow soils within closed periods in NVZ Action Programme Regulations. Apply nitrogen fertilisers in excess of crop requirements or to any land if the soil is waterlogged. Apply nitrogen fertilisers if the land is flooded or if the soil has been frozen for 12 hours or longer in the preceding 24 hours. Apply nitrogen fertilisers to any land covered with snow or to steeply sloping fields. |
RECOMMENDED FOR ALL FARMERS Sow winter cereals in time to establish a suitable crop cover in the autumn to winter period. Locate any field midden, or fertiliser storage site at least 10m away from any clean surface water or field drain or watercourse and at least 50m from any spring, well or borehole. Take account of local environmental factors before applying nitrogen fertilisers. Produce and implement a farm nutrient plan. Apply fertilisers only when soil conditions are suitable. Apply nitrogen fertilisers in as accurate and uniform a manner as possible. Spread organic manures at least 10m away from any clean surface water or field drain, watercourses, and at least 50m from springs, wells or boreholes that supply water for human consumption or use in dairies. Apply nitrogen fertilisers only when there is a specific crop requirement. Apply phosphorus fertiliser according to soil analysis and the needs of the crop. Always allow for the nutrients supplied by any organic manures. Analyse your soil for phosphorus to ensure that excess and unnecessary levels are not building up. | Allow livestock to have direct access to watercourses. Instead, provide water at drinking troughs, if at all possible. Plough up permanent pasture, if possible. Apply chemical fertilisers in a location or manner which makes it likely that the fertiliser will directly enter a watercourse. Over-compact soil. Apply nitrogen fertilisers in excess of crop requirements or to any land if the soil is waterlogged. Apply nitrogen fertilisers if the land is flooded or if the soil has been frozen for 12 hours or longer in the preceding 24 hours. Apply nitrogen fertilisers to any land covered with snow or to steeply sloping fields. |
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