Still time to apply for 2021 NVZ grassland derogation
© Tim Scrivener Livestock farmers in England who want a 2021 grassland derogation from nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) rules need to act quickly if they have not already done so.
The derogation allows grassland farmers to apply 250kg/ha of nitrogen from livestock manure over a calendar year, rather than the usual limit of 170kg/ha/year.
However, it is only possible to apply for a derogation if at least 80% of the agricultural area of your holding is grass.
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Defra announced last month that a derogation would be offered in 2021, but the application window did not open until 14 December, which is several weeks later than usual.
The delay is understood to have been caused by Covid-19 complications.
The statutory closing date for applications was 31 December, but the Environment Agency (EA) has recognised this was a short window, so has said it will use its “best efforts” to process applications received between 1 January and 31 January.
However, only those received by 31 December will be guaranteed to be processed.
According to the government’s Farming Advice Service newsletter, applications received during January will be considered on a case-by-case basis and there may be delays and difficulty in contacting the EA during this period.
How to apply for a grassland derogation
Applications are made by phoning the EA on 03708 506 506 (Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm).
Required information:
- Farm name, address and county parish holding (CPH) number
- Agricultural area and grassland area of farm in hectares on 1 January of the year for which you are applying
- Amount of manure nitrogen produced by grazing livestock kept on farm during the calendar year in kilogrammes of nitrogen (kgN)
- Amount of manure nitrogen produced by grazing livestock you intend to bring on to or send off farm during the calendar year (kgN)
- Total amount of manure nitrogen from grazing livestock on farm during the calendar year (kgN)
- Amount of manure nitrogen produced by non-grazing livestock on farm during the calendar year (kgN)
- Amount of manure nitrogen produced by non-grazing livestock you intend to bring on to or send off farm during the calendar year (kgN)
- Total amount of manure nitrogen from non-grazing livestock on farm during the calendar year (kgN)
The EA will use this information to calculate whether an applicant can stay within the 250kg/ha of nitrogen limit from grazing livestock.
If a farmer is eligible for a derogation, the EA will send written notification of whether the application has been successful.
The applicant must then formally agree to fulfil the conditions of the derogation in writing to the EA.