Mark Oaten Expresses Concern Over NVZ Directive.

Mark Oaten has expressed further concern over the Governments plans to extend the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones which many fear will adversely affect farmers.

A number of farmers in the Winchester constituency, representing the poultry, dairy and livestock sectors, have raised their objections to the proposed changes with Mark Oaten MP who has in turn taken up the issue in Parliament.

There are concerns that the proposals to manure and slurry storage will lead to increased costs with no clear provision for Government grants in this area and the financial implications this will have on the farming community.

Moreover the changes could lead to a rigid and unworkable time frame which does not take into account initiatives and agreements that have been set up locally between farmers and the public that seeks to avoid muck spreading over weekends and public holidays. It is suggested if the Government introduced increased storage measures this would compel farmers to spread manure intensively during the open window which could also negatively affect the environment.

Taking up the case Mark Oaten has tabled a number of Parliamentary Questions to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs raising the issue with the Government and is waiting on the reply. He has also signed Early Day Motion 333 expressing concern at the plans and calling on Government to ensure it does not adversely affect farmers financially.

Mark Oaten MP stated:

“The farming community has been through a really tough time this last year and we should be looking at ways to support them not compound their problems.

“The negative impacts of these proposals do not seem to have been well thought through and will affect the local community and environment not to mention putting farmers under increased financial strain.