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Guidelines for farmers in nitrate vulnerable zones
Dear occupier
GUIDANCE FOR FARMERS IN NITRATE VULNERABLE ZONES
In 2002 the Minister for Environment and Rural Development designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) in 4 areas of Scotland:
The EC Nitrates Directive requires legally binding rules to be put in place for NVZs to reduce nitrate loss from agricultural land. These rules are known as Action Programmes. In January 2003 the Minister for Environment and Rural Development introduced the Action Programme measures to be implemented in NVZs in Scotland, and announced that guidance would be issued to all farmers in NVZs, to enable you to comply with the new rules.
Guidance
I am now pleased to enclose the guidance. We are sending copies of the guidance to all farmers who have premises within the parishes affected by the NVZ designation. Some parishes are split by the NVZ boundary line and a map showing the boundaries of each NVZ is included within this guidance. If you are not sure whether your land is affected a larger scale map is available in your SEERAD Area Office.
Further information regarding the guidance can be obtained from SEERAD Area Offices. A list of contacts is provided in the pack.
This guidance will also be made available in CD-Rom format. Copies of the CD-Rom will be issued to those who have already registered interest. Further copies can be obtained from Water Environment Unit, Scottish Executive, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH66 6QQ, or telephone: 0131-244-0205; or email waterenvironment@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Workshops
The Scottish Executive have commissioned the Scottish Agricultural College to hold workshops for farmers on the use of the guidance. Further information will be available from SAC.
Record keeping requirements
The Action Programmes include record keeping requirements. Records should normally be kept for the period 19 December to 18 December in the following year; but in this first year records should be kept from 1 August to 18 December 2003. Farmers in the former Balmalcolm NVZ should continue with their existing record keeping requirements until 31 July 2003, and change to the new requirements from 1 August 2003.
NVZ Grant Scheme
The Minister for Environment and Rural Development has introduced a competitive grant scheme to support farmers in NVZs who may require additional slurry storage facilities to help them comply with the new rules. Guidance on the grant scheme, together with ranking advice and application forms, is available from your SEERAD Area Office.
The grant scheme is now open and first round applications will be accepted until
30 June 2003. Further application periods will be announced.
The introduction of this scheme is subject to State Aid approval, which is currently being sought. No decisions on applications will be made until such time as approval has been obtained from the European Commission. Since the scheme is competitive each application will be assessed on merit and there is no guarantee that all applications will qualify for aid. It is also important to note that anyone considering making an application may obtain estimates and consents, but should not commit themselves to any expenditure beyond that required to prepare and submit the application, until they have received written approval from the Department.
JOYCE CARR
WATER ENVIRONMENT UNIT
This essential guidance has been distributed using the agriculture census database. This information is treated in the strictest confidence and personal data has only been released for use in this important distribution. This data will not be used for any other purpose. Individuals with multiple holding may receive duplicate mail items.
If you no longer occupy or farm agricultural land or if your contact details are incorrect, please write to your SEERAD Area Office.
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