AMENDED ACTION PROGRAMME FOR NITRATE VULNERABLE ZONES NOW IN FORCE
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Following the consultation on Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) in 2012, new regulations came into force on 15th May 2013.
The NVZ Action Programme is designed to reduce or prevent nitrate leaching from agricultural sources into surface and ground water sources. Specified areas of Moray, Aberdeenshire, Banff and Buchan, among others, are designated as NVZ.
Anyone with a registered holding within a NVZ should, by now, have received a letter from the Scottish Government, outlining the eight amendments which have been made to the preceding NVZ Action Programme.
It should be noted that the NVZ Action Programme is part of the cross compliance requirements and the revised rules will be included in cross compliance from 1st January 2014.
In summary:-
- The closed period for the spreading of high nitrogen content organic manures (such as slurry) on soils other than sandy and shallow soils has been extended by two weeks to 31st January.
- Specified maximum nitrogen fertiliser amounts for crops less commonly grown in Scotland.
- Revised annual field limits of nitrogen in organic manure in respect of compost.
- Extended provisions of structural integrity of storage of livestock manure and silage effluent to be applied.
- Added provisions regarding the placement of field heaps, requiring them to be positioned so that there is minimum risk of pollution to the water environment.
- Added requirement for the occupier of a farm in a NVZ to keep a record of the location of any field heaps.
- Reduction from 5 years to 3 years on the period for which records specified must be retained.
- Increase to the specified percentages of nitrogen take up by a crop for given quantities of cattle manure (from 35% to 40%) and pig slurry (from 45% to 50%).
Full details are available from the Scottish Government website.
WESTER BROCKLOCH STEADINGS
Rafford, Forres
A unique opportunity to acquire a set of traditional farm buildings with Full Planning Permission in place for a single residential unit, set in a peaceful location yet with easy access to local amenities.
A substantial site extending to 4.67 hectares (11.54 acres) or thereby.
RURAL PRACTICE CHARTERED SURVEYOR AND TRAINEE CHARTERED SURVEYOR POSITIONS
Due to an increasing workload, we are looking to expand our rural practice department. Our office is based at Pluscarden, near Elgin, Moray. We currently have a staff of 15 and our core activity is property consultancy and rural estate management.
We are currently accepting applications for both a Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor as well as a Trainee Chartered Surveyor.
The successful applicants will join our rural practice team, which consists of four fully qualified land agents. Both positions are full-time, working Monday to Friday, and salary will be negotiable depending on experience.
If you would like to apply for either position, please email your CV and covering letter to mandy@bowlts.com.
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