NVZs & Pollution

Question 1

Main Legislation

Answer 1

• Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021
• Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage & Slurry) (Wales) Regulations 2010 (until 1st August 2024)

Question 2

What is the purpose of NVZs and how are they enforced?

Answer 2

• To protect water quality from nitrates from agricultural activities/sources.
• Part of Cross Compliance (GAECs & SMRs) so non-compliance will result in penalties to Glastir & BPS payments.

Question 3

How can you identify if your holding is within an NVZ?

Answer 3

1st April 2021 - the whole of Wales was designated an NVZ under the Water Resources (Control of Agricultual Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021

Question 4

What are the record keeping requirements within an NVZ?

Answer 4

• Import and exports of manue
• NMAX Limit
• Risk Maps
• Applications of fertiliser
• Calculation of manure storage
• Temporary field heap rules
• Nitrogen limits

Question 5

How would you prepare NVZ Risk Map?

Answer 5

1. Identify holding on map with recognised scale - 1:2500, 1:5000, 1:10,000 showing every field & watercourses, area of each field any boreholes, springs or wells.
2. Identify watercourses in colour red, where spreading is prohibited - within 10m surface water or 50m of a borehole, spring or well.
3. Identify land type in colour red, where spreading is prohibited - sandy or shallow soils, slope more than 12 degrees & land drains.
4. Identify other features in colour red, where spreading is prohibites - tenancy restrictions, designations (SSSIs), Rocky areas where equipment cannot be used safely, woodlands & tracks.

Question 6

What is the phased approach to NVZs in Wales

Answer 6

1st April 2021:
- Notify NRW 14 days before commencement of works
- Closed spreading period for organic manure on grassland (15th Sept - 15th Jan)

1st January 2023:
- Risk Map
- 170kg limit
- Import & export records
- Temporary field sites (not within 30m of watercourse or 10m of surface water)

1st August 2024:
- 5 / 6 Months storage
- Closed period for spreading Nitrogen fert on Grassland 1st Sept - 31st December

Question 7

Silage Clamp Requirements:

Answer 7

• Impermeable Base, Pipes, Tanks & Drains.
• Floor must extend beyond Walls
• Not within 10m of water course or land drains
• Effluent tank must be capable of last 20 years without maintenance
• Walls must be resistant to attack from silage effluent
• All effluent must be collected and contained

Question 8

Slurry Store Requirments:

Answer 8

• Imperable Store, Drains, Pipes & Tanks.
• Base, Walls, Pit, Pipe must be protected against corrosion.
• Effluent tank must be capable of lasting 20 years with necessary maintenace.
• If walls not imperable - base must extent beyond walls and have permiter drains that connect to tank.