Grazing livestock keepers to benefit from NVZ change

DEFRA has announced details of a derogation to Nitrate Vulnerable Zones regulations allowing certain farmers in England to spread up to 250kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare.

Grazing livestock keepers have until January to apply for the derogation which is retrospective for 2009 and depends on conditions being met to help protect water.

The existing 170kg nitrogen limit continues to apply to livestock manure from other animals, such as pigs and poultry, that are not classed as grazing livestock, a DEFRA spokesman said.

Farmers should apply retrospectively before the end of January 2010 for this year’s derogation. Derogation applications for 2010 should be made from 1 February to 30 April 2010, the spokesman added.

Regulations, guidance and application periods will be published later this year for farmers wishing to apply for the derogation.

For more information visit DEFRA.