Nitrates directive - Where is the justificatiuon?

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

NFU Clwyd County Chairman Richard Tomlinson said, "There is clear evidence in Wales that nitrate levels are actually declining so the NFU is questioning the science behind the proposals. Indeed, recently the Environment Agency Wales published maps for the Water Framework Directive which showed no risk from nitrates in the several of the proposed zones – which includes a part of Clwyd."

Terrig Morgan, a local farmer who will be affected by the proposals said, "These plans will cost farmers, particularly those in dairying, in some parts of Flintshire and the Vale of Clwyd dearly. Not only will capital have to be spent but it could lead to farmers having to reduce stock or take on more land just to retain their current stock numbers. Inevitably it will mean some farmers in the affected areas contemplating if they have any future at all in dairy 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.

Ed Bailey, NFU Cymru Vice 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."