LOCAL MSP INSISTS ON HELP FOR NVZ AREAS (Jim Hume)

LOCAL MSP INSISTS ON HELP FOR NVZ AREAS

January 25, 2008 12:00 AM

Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland and Environment Spokesperson, yesterday (Thursday, 24th January) tackled the Scottish Government on Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs).

After Jim Hume MSP once again pressed the Cabinet Secretary on compliance with the new rules and financial support, the Cabinet Secretary agreed to allow a three year period to comply and that money will be available to help those struggling with the new extended closed period.

Jim Hume said:-

"The news last year of the extended closed period was a real blow to farmers whose businesses fall into the 14% of Scotland's farmland designated nitrate vulnerable.

"There are four designated NVZs in Scotland mostly in the East and in Dumfriesshire so my constituents in the East Lothian area, the Eastern Borders and Dumfriesshire will potentially be hit very hard by the changes.

"The cost of additional on farm slurry storage facilities as a result of the new rules has been estimated at tens of thousands of pounds - many farms will not be able to absorb this onerous obligation. One farmer from East Lothian told me he would need to pay £100,000.

The MSP continued:-

"I asked the Cabinet Secretary for assurances that producers will be given time to comply with the new rules and I am pleased that his department is now allowing a three year period for just that reason.

"I also asked for clarification as to what help will be available to assist producers with the financial cost involved in the new storage facilities and again am pleased that support will be available, although fear that the funding may have to be competitively sought via the Scottish Rural Development Plan.

"There are still some questions left unanswered because any financial support available will come from the Scottish Rural Development Plan which means that the financial support allocated to helping those struggling with NVZ compliance could have a detrimental impact upon other aspects of the Plan and therefore other areas of agriculture."