Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are areas designated as being at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution. The NVZ rules are part of the requirements for cross compliance, known as Statutory Management Requirement 1 (SMR 1). You must meet all NVZ cross-compliance requirements to qualify for full payment under the Basic Payment Scheme and other direct payments.

NVZs include about 55% of land in England. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) reviews NVZs every four years to account for changes in water pollution.

View the most up to date NVZ rules here

You can use this free NVZ mapping tool below to see if you’re inside an NVZ designation Check if you’re inside an NVZ