Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Designations (Hansard, 25 March 1996)

Lord Lucas

Environment and Agriculture Ministers have considered the report of the independent review panel. In the light of the panel's recommendations and following consultation with the National Rivers Authority, we have finalised the boundaries of the nitrate vulnerable zones in England and Wales. Today we have placed in the Library of the House a set of maps showing the 68 zones we have identified, and we have laid before the House the regulations which transpose the formal requirements of the EC Nitrate Directive into domestic law and designate the zones.

We also issued on 22 March the decision document setting out the Government's final decisions on the zone designations following the panel's report. It presents our considered response to the panel's specific recommendations for boundary changes or for further review of a small number of zones, and to their findings on issues of principle. In most cases we have accepted or acted on the Panel's recommendations. The decision document is being sent to each farmer in the designated zones, and to other consultees who made submissions to the panel. I am placing a copy of the document in the Library of the House.

The measures which farmers will be required to take in the designated zones have been the subject of a recent consultation. Regulations will be drafted taking account of the responses received and, following further consultation, these regulations will be laid before the House, and implemented in the zones by the end of 1999.

My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture will shortly be making an announcement on the reintroduction, in the designated zones, of grants for waste handling facilities.

The maps of the 68 designated zones will be available for inspection at MAFF Regional Service Centres and Welsh Office Agriculture Department Divisional Offices.