Policies to reduce nitrogen loss to water from agriculture in the United Kingdom

Water supply companies in England face increasing difficulty and costs in meeting the 50 mg l^?1 nitrate limit in drinking water from groundwater sources. Some surface water abstractions also exceed the limit, but usually only in late autumn. Nitrogen-limited eutrophication is not a significant problem of estuary or coastal waters in the UK. Local problems are under investigation but the cause is rarely clear. Agricultural land is recognized as the main source of nitrate reaching ground and surface waters in the UK. Considerable research has been carried out on nitrate and farming systems. There is a substantial, ongoing government funded research programme. A significant remaining problem is the ability to relate losses from agriculture to nitrate in abstracted water or entering tidal waters. Much work remains to be done to improve our predictive ability.

In 1989, the UK government set up a Pilot Nitrate Scheme. This involved ten Nitrate Sensitive Areas. These were groundwater catchments in which farmers were invited on a voluntary basis to enter into 5 year contracts with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). The basis of the agreements are that the farmer will carry out a range of modifications to current farming practice, thus reducing nitrate loss. There are also options for converting current arable to extensive grass. These areas will initially run for 5 years. In addition nine Nitrate Advisory Areas were targeted for intensive advice.

In 1991, MAFF published its Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water. This provides guidance to farmers on the agreed balance between agricultural production and environmental protection of water which all farmers should follow. It includes a section on nitrate.

In 1989, the UK government set up a Pilot Nitrate Scheme. This involved ten Nitrate Sensitive Areas. These were groundwater catchments in which farmers were invited on a voluntary basis to enter into 5 year contracts with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). The basis of the agreement is that the farmer will carry out a range of modifications to current farming practice, thus reducing nitrate loss. There are also options for converting current arable to extensive grass. These areas will initially run for 5 years. In addition nine Nitrate Advisory Areas were targeted for intensive advice.