The Tenant Farmers Association has warned both the English and Welsh Governments that proposals for changes to their Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) action plans are unjustified and risk serious damage to the agricultural industry.
Both DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly Government are consulting on possible changes to the rules surrounding the operation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones to take effect from next year.
TFA Adviser, Sara Sumner said "We are concerned over several aspects of proposals contained in the consultations of both DEFRA and the Welsh Government for the review of the implementation of the Nitrates Directive. The TFA is opposed strongly to the proposals to include the whole of England and Wales within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. The designation of NVZ’s should be based only on strong scientific evidence. It is unreasonable to map the entire country as an NVZ without clear justification of the need and as a result adding significant and unwarranted burdens on farmers".
The consultations also outline proposed changes to the regulations which first came into effect in 1991 governing the storage of silage, slurry and fuel oil, the so called SSAFO Regulations. The proposed changes will include repealing the existing exemption allowing farmers who had invested in new infrastructure prior to 1991, to avoid having to make costly alterations for minimal environmental benefit.
"Since the requirements for increased slurry storage to meet NVZ requirements were introduced under the last review, the TFA is aware of a variety of issues that have arisen which affect tenant farmers specifically. Where landlords have the responsibility to upgrade fixed equipment to carry out the necessary investment, tenants have found it difficult to get landlords to take action. Therefore the TFA is concerned that by repealing the exemption under the SSAFO Regulations, the problems for tenant farmers will be exacerbated. We do not believe that there is a significant risk commensurate with the changes being proposed. However, if both Governments insist on removing the derogation under the SSAFO regulations they must provide grant aid for the works that will be required," said Mrs Sumner.
"Whist it is pleasing to see both Governments taking into account the recommendations of their individual working groups on de-regulation it is difficult to see that in respect of NVZ’s this is anything more than lip service. Both Governments need to come forward with practical solutions for reducing the burden of regulation without at the same time introducing new burdens without good reason," said Mrs Sumner.
