Farm Waste Update - Are You Ready
January 2012
Two important changes came into effect on 1st January 2012 relating to the storage and spreading of organic manure and inorganic fertiliser on farms.
For all farms, including those that are outside a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone, there is a new cross compliance measure, GAEC 19 - No Spread Zones, which requires that inorganic fertiliser must not be spread within 2 metres of surface waters and organic manure must not be spread within 10 metres of surface waters, nor within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole. Farmers must keep a map of all surface waters, springs, wells and boreholes on the holding and this may be checked during a cross compliance audit.
For most farmers within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone the 1st January 2012 is the absolute latest date for compliance with the 2008 Regulations. Farms must now have available the minimum storage capacity to comply with storage requirements and spreading restrictions. The closed periods for spreading are now fully in force, along with the prohibition on use of slurry spreading equipment with a high trajectory. All of these requirements and restrictions are set out in the NVZ and cross compliance booklets available from the Environment Agency and the RPA.
Farmers who are not currently within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone should take note that the DEFRA has started a review and consultation on extension of the NVZ area, possibly to include the whole of England. The consultation closes on 16th March 2012.
The agricultural team at Symonds & Sampson has been closely involved in advising on compliance with the Regulations, NVZ appeals and the design and planning of slurry storage systems.
We can also assist in making grant applications to the new Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS) and to the Catchment Sensitive Farming capital projects grant, both of which can assist with NVZ compliance.
For further information please contact Patrick Woodford on 01305 756973 or email pwoodford@symondsandsampson.co.uk.
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