The Nitrates Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008
KTRand D » environment Hub » Nitrates Regulations »
The Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008, Statutory Instrument 2008 No. 2349, Agriculture, England
These regulations are intended to reduce nitrate pollution of water from agriculture. They control the quantities and timing of when nitrogen-containing substances, including livestock manures and fertilisers, can be applied to the land. There are limits to the amount of livestock manure that can be deposited on a farm in any twelve month period, each year a farmer has to calculate the amount of nitrogen excreted by livestock on the farm, if this exceeds a set limit, in most situations 170 kg/ha/year, then arrangements have to be made to export any surplus. Failure to comply with the action programme is an offence and penalties may be levied on a farmer.
Defra and the Environment Agency have produced comprehensive guidance on how to comply with the Rules.
Advice for farmers