Regulations laid to allow Welsh farmers to exceed 170kg nitrogen spreading limit
Fresh regulations to allow farmers to seek permission to apply up to 250kg of nitrogen per hectare to their land in 2024 have been published by the Welsh Government.
In a move that is welcomed by AIC Cymru, the new regulations would see the nitrogen limit increase from 170kg per hectare where a licence is granted to individual farmers in Wales.
AIC Cymru and farming unions responded to a Welsh Government consultation in a collaborative effort to push for a change in approach.
In April 2021, the Welsh Government introduced Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 phasing in a range of measures to reduce pollution over time.
This October the devolved administration published its response to a consultation on the implementation of a measure set out in the 2021 regulations which placed a limit - measured as 170kg nitrogen per hectare - on the nutrients from livestock manures that may be applied across a farm holding each year.
In its response, the Welsh Government said a licence to permit the 170kg limit to be exceeded, up to a maximum of 250kg nitrogen per hectare, may be granted in certain circumstances "subject to a crop requirement and conditions designed to protect the environment".
This is referred to as an "enhanced nutrient management approach" effective from 1 January to 31 December 2024.
Regulations laid
A written statement issued by Lesley Griffiths MS, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd on 29 November confirmed that the regulations have now been laid before the Senedd.
The Minister said: "Farmers taking up this arrangement in 2024 must notify and send the supporting evidence to [Natural Resources Wales] and adhere to a set of strict environmental measures and additional controls".
She added that the measures "will increase the level of environmental protection afforded by the regulations and ensure environmental impacts of the enhanced nutrient management approach are minimised".
Guidance for the enhanced nutrient management approach is expected to be published before Christmas.
Read the full statement on the GOV.WALES website.
Authors
Michael Muncey
Jo Gilbertson
Jo Gilbertson is AIC’s Head of Fertiliser and is based at our Head Office in Peterborough.
Jo is responsible for the management and co-ordination of all matters relating to the production and distribution of fertilisers on behalf of Members.
Graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Health, he has additional post graduate qualifications in air pollution control, health and safety, advanced negotiation skills, and quality assurance management.