When it will release details of the Action Programme measures which must be followed by farmers in the Ythan Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.

A consultation paper on proposals for the Ythan Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) action programme will be released today. Arrangements have been made for copies to go directly to farmers in the Ythan NVZ.We must tackle the problem of excess nitrate lost from agriculture. It can affect the quality of our drinking water supplies and presents a risk to the ecological balance in rivers and the sea. Many farmers recognise the need to adopt sustainable practices which do not lead to environmental problems, but under European law all farmers in areas vulnerable to nitrate pollution are required to take action to deal with this type of diffuse pollution.The Action Programme measures we propose for the Ythan NVZ would require farmers to control the timing and rate of applications of nitrogen fertiliser and manures. These measures take into account environmental conditions within the catchment and the latest scientific and technical information.It is important that farmers understand the rules and what they need to do to comply with them and we will provide help in the form of guidance booklets in order to assist farmers in this process.