Nitrates directive - Where is the justification?

NFU Cymru will use this week's Pembrokeshire Show to call upon the Welsh Assembly Government to produce the justification for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in Wales. Particularly as Pembrokeshire farmers will be amongst those most badly affected if plans to extend the zone into the county go ahead.

There is clear evidence in Wales that nitrate levels are actually falling and the Union, for some time now, has been questioning the science behind the proposals to increase the amount of land designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). A series of maps published for the Water Framework Directive earlier this year show no risk from nitrates in several of the proposed zones – which includes a part of Pembrokeshire.

Nigel James, NFU Cymru County Chairman for Pembrokeshire said, "If some of Pembrokeshire is declared a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone it will cost us local farmers dearly. Not only will capital have to be spent but it could mean either a stock reduction or the need to buy or rent more land to retain current stock numbers. Inevitably it will mean some farmers locally contemplating if they have any future in farming.

With the latest NVZ consultation response imminent from the Welsh Assembly Government, NFU Cymru wants to make it clear that any designation has to be based on sound scientific evidence and clearly for large parts of the proposed designated areas, there is no evidence that nitrates are a problem.

Dai Davies, NFU Cymru President said, "It is ridiculous when we already have cross compliance rules that this will be yet another burden on the industry. Furthermore the costs involved are totally disproportionate to any environmental benefit but yet again the axe falls on the farming industry."