The Welsh government recently confirmed that it will delay the rollout of its controversial 170kg per hectare annual holding nitrogen limit rule, to 31st October 2023.
The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 came into effect in April 2021, introducing an all-Wales ‘regulatory baseline’ to control agricultural pollution. The Regulations also set standards for silage, silage effluent, and slurry storage systems. Phase 2 of the regulations came into force on 1st January 2023, with the exception of the 170kg/ha nitrogen limit which was due to be implemented from 30th April this year.
A consultation is also taking place on a licensing scheme that would enable any farm to apply for a licence for a higher annual holding nitrogen limit of 250kg/ha subject to crop need and other legal considerations. The consultation will consult on proposals for such a scheme to be operational until 2025.
Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “We are extending the implementation date for the 170kg/ha annual limit from 30th April 2023 to 31st October 2023 in order to allow more time to consider the consultation responses and allow farmers time to prepare once the outcome is announced.”
Even though there has been a delay of 6 months for the implementation of the 170kg/ha nitrogen limit, Welsh farmers will still need to be looking at completing whole farm loading calculations to see what figures they run at with current farm management. This will help them decide what amendments need to be made to previous farm practise to fulfil the 170 rule, unless the 250 derogation is made available.
Find out more at: The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021: guidance for farmers and land managers | GOV.WALES
Please contact our Agricultural Compliance Team on 01981 590514 for help and advice on how to comply with these new requirements.
