Now that more than 60% of England falls within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone, it is vital that farmers and growers are fully aware of their responsibilities relating to storage and the spreading of nitrogen-rich matter. The NVZ boundary was amended again following a lengthy appeals process. Any farmer who remains unsure whether or not their land lies within the NVZ zone, a map is available for reference online, or a paper copy can be requested from the Defra helpline. Within an NVZ, you must have five months storage for cattle slurry, or six months for pig slurry and poultry manure by 1st January 2012 Even if your farm lies outside the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone, a minimum of four months storage must still be provided under the Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil Regulations (SSAFO). Adequate slurry storage is particularly important for dairy and beef farms. Problems arose last winter, especially on farms lacking efficient rainwater separation. If you require assistance regarding any aspect of the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone legislation, contact your local Berrys office.
