Cross Compliance and NVZs

Cross-Compliance Changes

The RPA has announced a number of changes to the cross compliance rules as a result of updates to European legislation.  The revisions take effect from 17^th May 2013 and include changes to the following standards;

• SMR4 – Nitrate Vulnerable Zones
• GAEC 19 – No Spread Zones
• SMR7 – Cattle identification and registration

There is only a minor word change to SMR7.  Within the GAEC 19 requirements the no-spread zone is reduced to 6m (from 10m) on land adjacent to surface water if slurry, sewage sludge or anaerobic digestate is applied using precision equipment.  The main changes are to the SMR4 standards (NVZ rules). 

The SMR4 standards cover land within NVZs.  In addition to the extensive records which already need to be kept up-to-date, producers will need to maintain further field records of planting dates, arable yields, grassland management, actual nitrogen (manufactured or organic) application rates, type and dates of application.  With regards to applying organic manures, a couple of the closed periods have been extended;

• for grassland on soils other than sandy or shallow, the closed period now runs from 15^th October to 31^st January (previously 15^th January) and
• for tillage land other than sandy or shallow land from 1^st October to 31^st January (previously 15^th). 

Also, from 1^st January 2014 it will not be possible to apply nitrogen fertiliser to certain crop types or grass unless the amount of crop-available nitrogen is known.  From 16^th May 2014, temporary field muck heaps will need to occupy as small a surface area as possible and prevent it from collapsing.  The full version of the new rules can be found on the RPA’s website at http://rpa.defra.gov.uk/rpa/index.nsf/vContentByTaxonomy/C469AD87D7F02D5F80257AC5003B49BF?OpenDocument.  These changes supercede those within the Guide to Cross Compliance in England (2013).

NVZ Grassland Derogation Reminder

A reminder that the application deadline for 2013 to apply for a derogation to allow farmers to spread upto 250kgN/ha/year (standard is 170kgN/ha) is drawing near.  Postal and telephone applications closed on 28^th February, on-line applications can be made up until 31^st May.  The derogation is only for grassland farmers who meet certain conditions and needs to be made annually.  Applications can be made at  https://www.gov.uk/nvz-derogation-application