The Scottish Government

Implementing legislation

These areas were designated under the following regulations, following extensive consultation:

Scottish legislation on the protection of water against nitrate pollution

The Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones ( Scotland ) Regulations 2002 (SSI No.276) which came into force in July 2002 and designates areas of Moray, Aberdeenshire,Banff and Buchan; Strathmore and Fife; and Lothian and Borders as NVZs. These designations subsumed the existing NVZs at Balmalcolm in Fife and the Ythan catchment in Aberdeenshire.

The Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones ( Scotland ) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (SSI No.546) which came into force in January 2003 and designates the lower Nithsdale as an NVZ.

The Action Programme measures for farmers within NVZs were introduced through Scottish Statutory Instrument The Action Programme for Nitrate Vulner able Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (SSI No.51) whichcame into force in February 2003, and amendments which were made in March 2003 under The Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (SSI No.169) . The Action Programme focuses on limiting nitrate input to crop requirement and on the storage, timing and amount of application of certain fertilisers to minimise nitrate leaching. Different closed periods have been put in place for different types of fertiliser, and to reflect local environmental conditions in the different NVZs.

Amendment to take account of public participation requirements

February 2005 - the consultation issued about bringing the NVZ Action Programme regulations into line with the Public Participation Directive. This is to ensure that a requirement to consult is added to the regulations whenever they are reviewed or amended. Public Participation in Environmental Matters- A Consultation.