§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers his Department have vested in the National Rivers Authority to monitor and control nitrate run-off from farmland into rivers.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryUnder section 112 and schedule 11 of the Water Act 1989, the National Rivers Authority has the power to propose that certain areas of land be designated as nitrate sensitive areas (NSAs) where it considers that the entry of nitrate into controlled waters as a result of the use of land for agricultural purposes should be prevented or controlled. In addition, section 106 of the Water Act 1989 also provides a general power for the National Rivers Authority to monitor pollution in controlled waters.