Farmers in Cheshire can now receive funding to help meet Nitrate Vulnerable Zone legislation.

Agricultural consultancy Harvey Hughes Limited has obtained 70 per cent funding towards the cost of producing NVZ compliant management plans.

Harvey Hughes Ltd secured the funding through the RDPE Skills Programme for Cheshire which is managed by Reaseheath Enterprise Delivery Hub.

The project is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 2007-2013; Europe investing in rural areas.

The funding will allow a Harvey Hughes consultant to visit individual farms in Cheshire and act as a mentor to farmers in completing the NVZ management plan.

The management plan will essentially cover three areas with the consultant briefed to:

• Review the NVZ (Nitrate Vulnerable Zone) regulation including, ground water, sewage sludge and soil protection compliance with the farmer.
• Assess the farms current compliance of NVZ management which will include facilities and management records. During this process the farmer will be guided through the process to show where compliance or non-compliance has occurred.
• Assist by helping and training the farmer to compile an NVZ Manure Management Plan which is fully compliant with the NVZ regulation. The plan will have particular emphasis on the management of manure, fertiliser, nitrogen limits, closed periods for spreading manure/fertiliser, storage requirements of organic manure and record keeping.

“We are delighted to have obtained funding for this project as many farmers still do not have fully compliant plans and risk being fined, “said Andrew Nicholas of Harvey Hughes Ltd at Dunham Massey, Cheshire.

“There have been many workshops, seminars and publications to assist farmers in complying with the regulation.

“But unfortunately some farmers don’t have the time to prepare them, can’t apply what’s been presented to them because each farm’s infrastructure is different or are concerned of writing the plan up incorrectly.

“This is a great opportunity to get a subsidised consultant on farm to help train the farmer and prepare the plan.”

The management plan is designed to allow farmers to make modifications as stock numbers, land area, and storage requirements change.

“Most importantly it will allow farmers the confidence to maintain on going accurate field records which will utilise nutrients effectively and economically rather than just to satisfy regulation,” he explained.

For further details on securing funding and eligibility contact Andrew Nicholas at Harvey Hughes Ltd on 0161 927 7562 or 07816 960 251 Email: andrew.nicholas@harveyhughes.com.