Marcus Wraight The Politics Show South West

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Following our story about the restrictions on the use of tallow as a biofuel, Defra has asked us to clarify that it is not banning the burning of tallow from 01 January 2006.

Farming practices are blamed for nitrate pollution

More farmers in the South West are being told to restrict the amount of chemicals they put on their land.

The issue is the latest in a long-running saga about how an EU directive on the use of fertilisers should be implemented in this country.

A greater number of areas identified as being vulnerable to nitrate pollution were identified three years ago - and the European Union says regulation should be toughened up.

But farmers say this is yet more regulation that could tip some out of business.

The National Farmers' Union disputes the science behind the regulations, particularly the limits set for the amount of nitrates and manure that should be spread.

The Government imposed tough rules on farmers who were identified in a map of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) drawn up in 1996.

Six years later, the areas covered by a new NVZ map were much larger.

Restrictions on farms first identified continued to be restricted, but the Government retained a lighter touch approach to the rest.

But the European Union has said that approach is not acceptable and all such farmers within NVZs should be subject to the same rules.

The Environment Agency told The Politics Show that it was important to restrict nitrates as they promote plant growth in rivers and streams, choking other plant life.

It sympathised with farmers, but said that ultimately any regulations are bound to affect someone.

John Daw, who farms in North Devon, is in such a zone.

Until this week his farm was not subject to the same restrictions about levels of nitrates as others.

On Thursday 1 December 2005 he received a letter from the Environment Agency telling him that he will be affected.

"I just do not know where the money is expected to come from to do this," he said.

Anthony Gibson, regional director of the NFU in the South West says: "This is a regulatory sledge-hammer to crack a non-existent nut.

"It will lead to land being abandoned, creameries and abattoirs being closed. It really is that serious and all for no perceptible benefit in pollution terms."

Ian Liddell-Grainger, Conservative MP for Bridgwater, said: "I would just say to the Government - wait, hold on, do not do it."

The Department of the Environment, Foot and Rural Affairs claimed, on their website, that better use of nitrates means greater profits for farmers.

Fertiliser is not wasted and the environment benefits from the lower quantities of nitrates that leach into the water system.

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