Nitrates - reducing water pollution from agriculture
Nitrate levels in many English waters, both ground and surface waters, either remain high or are increasing. Nitrate pollution is of concern because it has to be removed before water can be supplied to consumers, and it can harm the water environment. Over 60% of nitrate enters water from agricultural land.
The following pages provide details of action to reduce agricultural nitrate pollution, which is one aspect of the broader problem of diffuse pollution from agriculture.
News
20 October 2008 – Interactive field-scale boundary maps (on MAGIC website) of the 2008 Nitrate Vulnerable Zones
15 October 2008 – Letter from Jane Kennedy, Minister for Farming and the Environment, about the new Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, associated rules, deadlines, and advice, and Summary of Guidance for farmers in NVZs sent out.
9 September 2008 – New nitrate regulations laid before Parliament and updated NVZ maps are published
21 July 2008 – Government Response to the consultation on how we implement the Nitrates Directive in England
Two other consultations on tackling diffuse water pollution from agriculture were also concluded recently:
- Revised Code of Good Agricultural Practice to protect water, soil and air quality
- Protection against water pollution from agriculture, diffuse sources
Information on action taken to date to implement the Nitrates Directive in England is provided in the following pages:
- Diffuse water pollution from agriculture
The Nitrates Directive in England
- The EC Nitrates Directive and its implementation in England
2008 – New Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and Action Programme measures
- Maps of the NVZs and description of the Action Programme measures which take effect from January 2009 (note – these will replace the NVZs and measures in place since 2002)
2002 and earlier – Old Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and Action Programme measures
- Maps of the NVZs and description of the Action Programme measures which continue to apply until January 2009
- A range of guidance, advice and other relevant material
Page last modified: 23 September 2008
Page published: 27 June 2002