NFU Scotland is reminding all its members not to get caught out by the 31 March deadline for re-registering temporary storage requirement exemptions.
Since 1 January 2009 the new Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) Action Programme rules have required farmers in an NVZ area to have minimum storage requirements of 26 weeks for pig slurry and 22 weeks storage for cattle slurries. An exemption from the minimum storage period requirement and/or closed periods exists until such time as the farm has sufficient storage or 1 January 2012, whichever comes sooner.
Temporary exemptions from slurry storage requirements need to be renewed each year. This means that any farmer who registered for a temporary storage requirement exemption last must re-register the exemption this year. The deadline for doing this is 31 March 2010.
Future renewals will have to be made by 1 January each year until such time as sufficient storage is available or 1 January 2012, whichever comes sooner. This will mean that next year’s renewal has to be done by 1 January 2011.
NFU Scotland’s East Central Regional Manager, Kate Maitland said:
“I would urge any farmer who is in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone and has not yet re-registered their temporary slurry storage requirement to do so as soon as possible.
“Requests should be put in writing to the local RPID area office.
“If you have any questions about what this entails or need any other guidance on slurry storage-related issues, please get in touch with NFUS head office on 0131 472 4000.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Contact details for the East Central RPID office are as follows:
SGRPID, Broxden Business Park
Lamberkine Drive
Perth
PH1 1RX
Tel: 01738 602000
Fax: 01738 602001
Email: SGRPID.Perth@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Ends
Contact Sarah Anderson on 0131 472 4108