Monday 1 August 2011

Farmers cut bills by cutting pollution

Farmers who are reducing the risk of polluting nearby water reservoirs are also cutting their bills. The findings come ahead of a deadline for certain farmers, who work in areas with a high risk of pollution called Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs), to have up to six months' storage for livestock slurry in place.

Slurry and manure contain high levels of nitrate, which can wash off farmland if applied in the wrong conditions. NVZs were introducedto try and control the risk ofsurface water or groundwaterpollution.

Nigel Crane at the Environment Agency, which surveyed the farmers with the National Farmers Union, said: "Farmers are already telling us that they are makingbigsavings in their businesses through investment in new stores. The action which farmers are taking will help to protect our rivers from serious pollution incidents.

"We are now urging the remaining farmers to take action and put appropriate measures in place before the January 2012 deadline."