Non-compliance with the NVZ regulations could prove costly
The changes to farming practices that will be imposed by the regulations within NVZ designated areas will form part of the cross compliance rules for Single Farm Payment (SFP). Any failure to demonstrate compliance could result in a reduction of a farms' SFP.
Those farmers who leave their NVZ planning too late also run the risk of having to implement a plan against a tight deadline. Specialist suppliers and builders could levy a premium to undertake work when the timetable is tight and their workloads are already high. Having to make hasty and un-planned decisions could present risks in terms of quality of work and project costs.
The importance of planning
New NVZ regulations governing certain livestock farming operations, including the storage and spreading of slurry and animal wastes, come into force in some parts of the UK in January 2012 (See NVZ Maps). The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation offers straightforward funding solutions for NVZ related projects.
Compliance with the regulations, especially in respect of slurry storage capacity, will probably require improvements to farm infrastructure on most livestock farms within a designated NVZ.
In some instances this could involve relatively small scale changes or improvements to the management of dirty water run-off from yards or roofs for example.
For others however, the changes needed, will be more significant. Such changes could include extending existing slurry storage capacity or building an entirely new waste management system, upgrading cubicles and winter housing or roofing over loafing areas.
The scale of the work to be undertaken can be broad and include:
As the deadline draws closer for the implementation of the regulations, so the need to start planning and acting becomes more important.
“Proper planning is not only about ensuring compliance with the NVZ regulations,” says Keith Thomas, AMC's Regional Agricultural Manager for Cheshire and the North Midlands. “It will also ensure the financial burden placed on the business by investing in improved infrastructure is properly managed.” - why not find out more by reading our AMC Down to Earth - Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) Special.
The list of jobs to do may be long, so why not compare your progress with our simplified checklist.