Key requirements of the NVZ Action Programmes
The following bullet points are an outline, for full
information and guidance, you must read the
Guidance section.
The key requirements of the Action Programme rules,
which farmers in NVZs must comply with, are summarised
below:
Record Keeping
- Records must be kept annually on the use of all
organic and inorganic (chemical) nitrogen (N)
fertilisers, on a field by field basis.
- A Fertiliser and Manure Plan must be prepared and
implemented each year.
Nitrogen Application Limits
- There are farm and field based limits for the
quantity of N that can be applied in the form of
organic manure.
- N from organic and inorganic sources must not
exceed the crop or grassland requirement.
Closed Periods (periods when no nitrogen applications
are to be made) as set out in the Action Programme
Regulations. Also see
Additional
Guidance.
- For inorganic (chemical) fertilisers the closed
periods cover the months where there is unlikely to be
plant uptake and the risk of nitrate leaching is
highest.
- For slurry, poultry manure and liquid digested
sewage sludge closed periods cover sandy and shallow
soils during the times when nitrate leaching is most
likely.
Other Restrictions on nitrogen
application
- There are general restrictions on the spreading of
organic or inorganic N under conditions where there is
a risk of run-off.
- There are restrictions on the spreading of organic
manure within a defined proximity of water courses and
drinking supplies.
- There are restrictions on the timing of
incorporating vegetable crop residues into the soil,
due to their high nitrogen content.
Storage of slurry/poultry manure and farmyard
manure
- The capacity of storage facilities must be
sufficient to hold all the slurry/poultry manure that
cannot be applied due to closed periods.
- Manure produced in excess of the storage
requirement must not be used in a manner that will
cause harm to the environment.
- Field middens must be sited away from inland and
coastal waters, wells, boreholes or similar water
supplies.