NVZ Proposals Could Force Clwyd Farmers to Leave Industry

Concerns about proposals which could increase the amount of land in Wales designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) have prompted NFU Cymru to host a briefing session for Assembly Members on their potential effect on farm businesses.

Areas singled out to fall within the NVZ designation include parts of Denbighshire and Flintshire, but as there is clear evidence in Wales that nitrate levels are actually declining NFU Cymru is questioning the science behind the proposals.

If these plans are submitted by the Welsh Assembly Government to the European Commission they will cost farmers, particularly dairy farmers in some parts of Wales, dearly. Not only will capital have to be spent, but some farmers may also have to reduce stock or take on more land to retain current stock numbers. Inevitably this will lead some farmers to contemplate if they have any future in the industry.

Richard Tomlinson, NFU Cymru's Chairman for Clwyd said, "It is ridiculous that we could see yet another burden placed on the industry, when we already adhere to strict cross compliance rules. Furthermore the costs involved are totally disproportionate to any environmental benefit, but yet again the axe falls on the farming industry."

NFU Cymru will be briefing Assembly Members on the issue at a session hosted by Angela Burns AM on Wednesday, 30 January 2008 at Cardiff Bay where the union will explain to

AMs what NVZs are all about and how they will affect Welsh farmers.

Speakers will include the President of NFU Cymru, Dai Davies, Bernard Llewellyn, Chairman of NFU Cymru's Rural Affairs Board and Chris James, a dairy farmer from Pembrokeshire, whose business will be seriously affected if the proposed expansion of NVZs goes ahead.