Water quality regulations - dates you need to know

From 1 April 2021

Storage of silage

• From 28 April 2021 - 14 days’ notice must be given to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) before construction begins on a new or improved slurry or silage store (this change applies from 28 April 2021).

Exempt structures

• Installations that were in use or built before March 1991 or where a contract for construction was entered into before March and completed before September 1991 are “exempt structures”.
• An old store may be used, but the storage capacity requirements of these Regulations must still be met by 1 August 2024.

Controlling the spreading of Nitrogen fertiliser

(includes manufactured nitrogen fertiliser, slurry, and other organic manures):

• If you intend to spread nitrogen fertiliser you must first inspect the field to consider the risk of nitrogen getting into surface water.
• You must not spread nitrogen fertiliser on land if there is a significant risk of nitrogen getting into surface water, taking into account factors such as weather and slope. Mandatory buffer zones will be established (as per existing cross compliance requirements).

Closed periods for spreading manufactured Nitrogen fertiliser

• On grassland, from 15 September to 15 January*
• On tillage land, from 1 September to 15 January*

*Exemptions apply which are explained in the Welsh Government guidance.

Incorporation of manure

• Organic manure applied to bare soil must be incorporated within 24 hours in most circumstances*

*Exemptions may apply e.g. if precision spreading equipment is used.

From 1 January 2023

Risk maps

• If you intend to spread manure on the holding you must produce and maintain a risk map which highlights the areas on which spreading may cause pollution, including buffer zones and surface waters.
• Sites suitable for field heaps should be marked if manure is to be stored in field heaps.

Storage of organic manure

Other than slurry, any organic manure must be stored:

• In a vessel; in a covered building; on an impermeable surface; or in a free-standing temporary field heap.

Temporary field heaps

• Rules on the placement of manure field heaps will apply to minimise the risk of any leaching and run off reaching waterbodies.

Nutrient management planning

• A Nutrient Management Plan must be established for any nitrogen fertiliser application, which includes the soil nitrogen supply and the requirement of the crop.

Import/export of manure

• Any import/export of manure onto/off the holding must be recorded.

Nutrient applications

• Fertiliser applications must not exceed specified crop limits.
• Fertiliser must be applied as accurately as possible and spreading trajectory must be below 4 meters from the ground.

Records

• Records associated with Nutrient Management Plans and fertiliser applications must be kept.
• Exemptions from certain requirements will apply to extensive farms.

Field limits

• The total amount of nitrogen in organic manure spread on any given hectare on the holding must not exceed 250kg for any 12-month rolling period.

From 1 August 2024

Closed periods

• The spreading of slurry and organic manures with high readily available nitrogen will be prohibited during the following periods (certain exemptions will apply, see Welsh Government guidance):

• Spreading after the closed period until the end of February will be limited to 30 cubic metres per hectare (8 tonnes per hectare of poultry manure) at any one time, and there must be at least three weeks between each spreading.

Slurry storage capacity

• 5 months (1 October – 1 March) of slurry storage will be required for any slurry produced by any livestock, other than pigs or poultry.
• For slurry produced by pigs and poultry, 6 months (1 October – 1 April) of slurry storage will be required.

Irrespective of the minimum storage requirement, you must ensure you have sufficient storage available to enable you to comply with the other requirements of the regulations.

Detailed guidance and workbooks can be found on the Welsh Government website