Nirates directive - Where is the justification?

NFU Cymru has called upon the Welsh Assembly Government to produce the justification for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in Wales, as the Environment Agency Wales – the Government's own statutory advisers have now published a series of maps for the Water Framework Directive which show no risk from nitrates in several of the proposed zones.

Mr Dai Davies, President NFU Cymru said, "We have written to Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones today, as she considers the responses to the 2007 consultation.

"In our submission, to the Assembly we made it clear that any designation had to be based on sound scientific evidence. Clearly for large parts of the proposed designated areas, there is no evidence that nitrates are a problem."

Mr Davies added, "In fact even in other areas nitrate levels are falling as a result of measures already being taken under the current regulation. There is therefore no need to increase the designated areas nor to bring in stringent and totally unnecessary additional restrictions on farmers already in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in Wales.

"There is an Assembly promise to the industry to reduce red tape and regulation – well let's start with this unwieldy and out of date Directive."