Comply with Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) regulations

Check if your land is in an NVZ

Before applying any nitrogen fertilisers or organic manures, you need to know which of your fields are in an NVZ. NVZ boundaries follow field boundaries, so part of your farm may be inside an NVZ while other parts are outside.

Use the Environment Agency's interactive map to check your land:

NVZ designations are reviewed every 4 years. The current designation period runs from 2025 to 2028. If you cannot access the online map, contact the Environment Agency at enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk for written confirmation.

Nitrogen application limits

If your land is in an NVZ, you must comply with strict limits on how much nitrogen you can apply.

Understanding the two limits

The 170 kg/ha loading limit applies to nitrogen from livestock manure only. This is calculated as a calendar year average across your whole holding. It includes:

• Manure spread on fields
• Manure deposited directly by grazing livestock
• Any livestock manure imported onto the holding

The 250 kg/ha field limit applies to all organic manures spread on any single hectare in a 12-month period. This limit does not include manure deposited directly by grazing animals, but does include:

• Livestock manure (slurry, farmyard manure)
• Poultry manure
• Sewage sludge (biosolids)
• Digestate from anaerobic digestion
• Compost and other organic materials

Grassland derogation

If at least 80% of your holding is grass, you can apply for a derogation to spread up to 250 kg/ha of nitrogen from grazing livestock manure (instead of the standard 170 kg/ha limit).

The derogation only applies to manure from grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, deer, horses). It does not cover pig or poultry manure.

You must apply each year between 10 November and 31 December for derogation in the following year. Apply through the Rural Payments service or by post to the Environment Agency.

Derogation holders have additional requirements:

• Prepare an annual fertilisation plan before spreading
• Submit fertilisation account records to the Environment Agency by 30 April each year
• Be prepared for more frequent inspections

Closed spreading periods

You must not spread nitrogen fertilisers or organic manures during closed periods. Spreading during closed periods is an offence that can result in prosecution.

Identifying your soil type

Sandy or shallow soils are those where:

• Over 50% of particles in the top 40cm are sand-sized (0.06-2mm), or
• The soil is less than 40cm deep over rock, chalk, or gravel

If you are unsure of your soil type, treat it as sandy or shallow (the longer closed period) to avoid non-compliance.

Exceptions during closed periods

Limited exceptions allow spreading during closed periods for certain crops. If growing crops not listed in the standard guidance, you must have written advice from a FACTS-qualified adviser justifying the application before you spread.

Storage requirements

NVZ rules require more slurry storage capacity than the baseline SSAFO regulations. If you are in an NVZ, you must meet the higher NVZ standard.

Planning new or expanded storage

If you need to build or expand slurry storage to meet NVZ requirements:

• Notify the Environment Agency at least 14 days before construction begins
• Check planning permission - new agricultural buildings may need planning consent from your local authority
• Consider grant funding - the Slurry Infrastructure Grant provides funding for storage improvements (when rounds are open)

Field heaps of solid manure

You can temporarily store solid farmyard manure in field heaps if:

• The heap is at least 10 metres from surface water
• The heap is at least 50 metres from springs, wells, or boreholes
• The manure is not stored in the same place for more than 12 consecutive months
• You do not return to the same location within 2 years
• The heap is not positioned where run-off could enter water

Record-keeping requirements

You must keep detailed records of all nitrogen applications and be able to produce them if inspected by the Environment Agency.

Practical tips for record-keeping

• Use a consistent system - farm management software, spreadsheets, or the official templates from GOV.UK all work
• Update records promptly - the 1-week deadline is strict; don't let records build up
• Keep copies of delivery notes - for any fertiliser, manure, or digestate delivered to or taken from your farm
• Photograph your risk map - keep digital copies in case of loss or damage
• Store records securely - you need them for 5 years, and losing them is not a defence

Low-intensity farm exemption

You may have reduced record-keeping requirements if your farm meets all of these criteria:

• At least 80% of your land is grassland
• You apply no more than 100 kg/ha nitrogen from organic manures
• You apply no more than 90 kg/ha manufactured nitrogen fertiliser
• You do not bring any organic manure onto the holding from outside

Even with the exemption, you must still keep a fertilisation plan and records showing you meet the criteria.

Buffer zones

You must maintain buffer zones when spreading to protect water features from pollution.

When you cannot spread at all

Regardless of buffer zones, you must not spread any nitrogen fertiliser or organic manure on land that is:

• Waterlogged - water lying on the surface or easily squeezed from the soil
• Flooded - any standing water
• Frozen - for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours
• Snow-covered - any amount of snow

This applies to all land, not just NVZs. The Environment Agency actively patrols during wet weather to identify non-compliant spreading.

Interaction with Farming Rules for Water

The Farming Rules for Water (Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution Regulations 2018) apply to all farms in England, not just NVZs. If you are in an NVZ, you must comply with both sets of rules.

Key Farming Rules for Water requirements that complement NVZ rules:

• Plan all organic manure and manufactured fertiliser applications
• Not apply organic manure or fertiliser if there is significant risk of pollution
• Keep soil tests no more than 5 years old for cultivated land
• Take reasonable precautions to prevent soil compaction and run-off

The same buffer zones apply under Farming Rules for Water (2m for manufactured fertiliser, 10m for organic manure from surface water).

Penalties for non-compliance

The Environment Agency enforces NVZ regulations through inspection and prosecution. Non-compliance is a criminal offence.

What to expect during an inspection

Environment Agency officers may:

• Visit without prior notice
• Request to see all NVZ records for the past 5 years
• Inspect slurry stores, field heaps, and spreading equipment
• Take samples of soil, water, or manure
• Interview you about your spreading practices

If officers find evidence of pollution or non-compliance, they may:

• Issue a formal warning
• Serve an enforcement notice requiring specific action
• Recommend prosecution
• Require you to pay for clean-up costs

Getting help and advice

Free advice on NVZ compliance is available from:

Next steps

1. Check your land - use the interactive map to identify which fields are in NVZs
2. Review your storage - calculate whether you have 5-6 months capacity using the AHDB Slurry Wizard
3. Set up records - create your risk map and establish a system for recording applications
4. Plan spreading - prepare a fertilisation plan before each application, noting closed periods
5. Consider derogation - if 80%+ grass, apply before 31 December for next year