ABSTRACT

Nitrate pollution was controlled through the use of nitrate sensitive areas. These were areas designated by the DETR and farmers received compensation for not using nitrates. They were initially criticised by groups such as Friends of the Earth because of the voluntary nature of the scheme. Mandatory designations101 are now made under nitrate vulnerable zones.102 Nitrate vulnerable zones designation is a mandatory action programme to protect ground and surface waters against nitrate pollution by protecting the quality and timing of nitrogen103 fertiliser and livestock manure applications; these are uncompensated, as they equate to good agricultural practice.104