A further extension of the implementation date for the 170kg/ha annual nitrogen limit from April 30, 2023 to October 31, 2023 has been welcomed by the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW).
Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths confirmed the extension and outlined that that it was to allow more time for farmers time to prepare once the outcome of the nitrogen limit consultation is announced.
The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 seek to tackle the causes of water pollution from agricultural activities across Wales and Phase 2 of these regulations came into force on January 1, 2023, with the exception of the annual 170kg/ha holding nitrogen limit for livestock manure.
The nitrogen holding limit regulation was initially delayed from January 1 until April 30 to allow the Welsh government time to consult on proposals for a licensing scheme to increase that limit.
Griffiths said the Welsh government had consulted on a licensing scheme whereby any farm business can apply for a license for a higher annual holding nitrogen limit of 250kg/ha subject to crop need and other legal considerations.
FUW reaction
The president of the FUW, Glyn Roberts, said the union welcomed the delay in the nitrogen limit, as it will allow more time for the Welsh government to “seriously consider the responses and provide sufficient time for farmers to prepare once the outcome is announced”.
Roberts said: “In our response, we urged the Welsh government to use this opportunity to introduce an effective licensing scheme as a permanent part of the regulations on the basis that it is designed correctly to allow for a significant number of farms to be eligible and for it to be flexible to respond to challenges in the long term.
“It is therefore welcome to see that the whole farm nitrogen limit will be delayed by a further six months to allow more time for the Welsh Government to seriously consider the responses and provide sufficient time for farmers to prepare once the outcome is announced.”
The union also said that while the introduction of a licensing scheme would serve as a significant safety net for some, there may be unintended consequences on the ability of Welsh farmers to maintain food production levels.
Roberts added:
“We sincerely hope this six month extension will allow the Welsh government to fully understand the repercussions this limit will place on farming businesses and the Welsh agricultural industry, and allow them to seize this opportunity to introduce a scheme that helps to address our concerns.
“The need for this second extension simply demonstrates the complexity of the regulations we are dealing with, and as such, we strongly urge the Welsh government to delay the regulations set to be introduced next year until alternative technological solutions are considered and the regulations reviewed.”
