Deep dis-satisfaction with NVZ announcement

Deeply dis-satisfied is how NFU Cymru feels following the Welsh Assembly Government’s decision today to increase the amount of Wales classified as NVZ (Nitrate Vulnerable Zone).

Mr Bernard Llewellyn, NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board Chairman said, "This is a disappointing day for Welsh agriculture, whose evidence and efforts to reduce nitrates in surface and ground waters has been ignored by the introduction of a totally out of proportion action programme for farmers in these new NVZ areas. Other potential sources of nitrates have been largely ignored as this highly weighted, one-sided, legislation applies to farmers only."

As of 1 January 2009, 4% of Wales will be designated as NVZ, an increase of 1%. All the areas of Wales mentioned in the NVZ proposals will be included with just one welcome exception, the proposed area to the east of Welshpool.

Mr Llewellyn said, "The fact is, for many farmers in the livestock and especially the dairy sectors, the Welsh Assembly Government’s decision brings major and disproportionate costs. Farmers faced with designation will be faced with restriction on applying fertiliser and manures, a need for capital investment to increase capacity to store manures on farm and additional record keeping requirements."

Mr Llewellyn, commenting on today’s NVZ statement said, "Wording in the document like ’Nitrogen could be fuelling eutrophication in the Lily Ponds, Pembrokeshire and Llyn Coron, Anglesey’ are clearly not based on science. In the case of the Lily Ponds the Welsh Assembly says that ’the lake is either eutrophic or in the near future may become eutrophic if no action is taken.’ Furthermore it implies that phosphorous could be the cause. Have we missed the point here – this is a nitrates not phosphate Directive! It is totally and utterly wrong that designations can be imposed immediately on what may or may not happen in future."

In terms of de-designation the statement issued today says it is too early to remove those areas already within the NVZ because farming methods are continuing to change and longer term trend data is required before de-designation can occur. Mr Llewellyn has described this approach as ’belt and braces’ when compared with the adhoc approach used when designating the new areas of NVZ.

There will now be an appeal process which NFU Cymru will be encouraging its members to use. The deadline for appeals is 31 March 2009. Mr Llewellyn said, "Our concern is that the deadline for farmers to appeal is very tight and the scope for the appeal is extremely limited. It is unfair to only give us three months to gather evidence for an appeal when it has taken the Environment Agency and the Assembly many years to complete their study on this hugely complex subject."