RESTRICTIONS IN NITRATE VULNERABLE ZONES

That this House notes the implementation of restrictions in nitrate vulnerable zones and expresses concern that they will lead to hardship for farmers in those zones because of the requirements for farms to have six months' storage capacity for slurry, a reduction in stock numbers and to observe a ban on spreading slurry during winter months; and calls upon the Government to take into account the additional costs and reduced income for farms that these restrictions will entail and to act to ensure that this does not become another financial blow to the farming industry.