Deadline is looming over NVZ appeals

NFU Cymru is urging farmers from south Pembrokeshire to act now before 31 March, 2009, against the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone designations.

The opportunity to appeal against designation is fast approaching and farmers now have just over four weeks to lodge an appeal and to submit their supporting evidence to the Welsh Assembly Government.

NFU Cymru believes that nitrate levels are declining, but for the first time ever, the Bosherston Lily Ponds catchment area, in south Pembrokeshire, has now been designated as an NVZ. This follows the Welsh Assembly Government decision to increase the amount of Wales classified from 3% to 4% as of 1 January, 2009.

For an appeal to be successful farmers will need to show the designation of their land resulted from a mistake by the EA in applying the method used to decide which areas should be classed as NVZ. An appeal can be made by completing a simple application form and NFU Cymru has produced a step-by-step guide which is available to members on www.nfu-cymru.org.uk.

Farmers, especially those in the livestock, dairy and poultry sectors, could face large bills due to NVZ legislation and one of the largest capital costs will be for building slurry stores.

Pembrokeshire NFU Cymru County Chairman, Glyn Jones said, "The potential financial impact of farmers and growers finding themselves in an NVZ is considerable, so it is well worth double checking the designation.

"NFU Cymru has lobbied long and hard to achieve this appeals process and while it’s hard to predict how many mistakes there will be. It is obviously very important that farmers lodge an appeal before 31 March, 2009, if they suspect their designation has been made in error."

NFU Cymru believes the EU’s Nitrates Directive, implemented by the Welsh Assembly Government, is unnecessary and outdated as nitrate levels are declining but now the task is to ensure the regime is brought in as practically as possible and that NFU Cymru members are fully supported.

For further details members should contact their local NFU Cymru office.