NFUS set to contest European slope ban on use of pesticides and fertilisers

PROPOSED changes to legislation that could see a ban on the use of fertilisers on sloping land and an end of spraying near burns and streams is being opposed by NFU Scotland.

Andrew Bauer, policy manager for NFUS, described the changes, aimed at reducing pollution in watercourses, as “neither risk based nor proportionate.”

The legislation, entitled The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) Scotland Regulation 2011, is being changed to take into account new European regulations.

Consultation on the changes of the General Binding Rules (GBR) within the legislation – which includes a blunt prohibition on spreading organic or inorganic fertiliser on land with an overall gradient in excess of 12 degrees – closes this weekend,

Bauer also pointed out the proposed wording of another clause could see a ban on the use of pesticides over ground with a similar slope leading to surface water, unless there is a ten-metre vegetated buffer zone.

“NFU Scotland and others are helping Scottish farmers minimise agricultural diffuse pollution and we remain firmly committed to this effort. However, we strongly oppose some of the detail of Scottish Government’s proposals.”

He pointed out that a large proportion of Scottish farmland sloped more than 12 degrees, so a ban on fertilisers and pesticides would have a drastic impact on productivity and food security.