HL Deb 28 March 1996 vol 570 cc154-5WA
Baroness Gardner of Parkes

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assistance they will provide to farmers in nitrate vulnerable zones who are to face restrictions on the spreading of manures.

Lord Lucas

I am very pleased to announce a new grant scheme which will be open to farmers in England and Wales who have land in a nitrate vulnerable zone. The scheme will help those farmers who need to improve their farm waste facilities as a result of limits to be set on the spreading of livestock manures in the zones. The necessary statutory instrument has been laid before Parliament and will be debated in both Houses of Parliament.

The scheme, which offers a 25 per cent. rate of grant on eligible waste storage and handling facilities, will come into force on 17 April. For the first time, grant will be available on facilities for the separation of clean and dirty water, other than roofing, where this will reduce the need for storage. In addition, farmers will be able to call on ADAS for free advice to help them decide on the waste facilities needed to comply with the NVZ measures.