Farmers in Clwyd have again raised their concern at proposals which could increase the amount of land in the County designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) which could have a huge and damaging impact on already vulnerable farm businesses.
NFU County Chairman Richard Tomlinson said, "There is clear evidence in Wales that nitrate levels are actually declining so the NFU is questioning the science behind the proposals. Indeed, in the last few weeks the Environment Agency Wales published maps for the Water Framework Directive which showed no risk from nitrates in the majority of the proposed zones."
Terrig Morgan who farms at Treuddyn and will be affected by the proposals said, "These plans will cost farmers, particularly those in dairying, in some parts of Flintshire and the Vale of Clwyd dearly. Not only will capital have to be spent but it could lead to farmers having to reduce stock or take on more land just to retain their current stock numbers. Inevitably it will mean some farmers in the affected areas contemplating if they have any future at all in dairy farming."
Richard Tomlinson added, "The message is simple, that these designations have to be based on sound scientific evidence and clearly for large parts of the proposed areas, there is no evidence that nitrates are a problem and even in other areas nitrate levels are falling as a result of measures already being taken by farmers under the current regulation."
"On this basis, there is no need to increase the designated areas or to bring in stringent and unnecessary additional restrictions on farmers already in NVZ's. It is ridiculous when we already have cross compliance rules that this will be yet another burden on the industry. The costs involved are totally disproportionate to any environmental benefit and science is being ignored." said Richard Tomlinson.
