Reducing agricultural nitrate pollution

Countryside Minister Elliot Morley opened a conference to present the results of studies aimed at reducing agricultural nitrate pollution in Britain's waters, in London today.

The conference, "Tackling Nitrates from Agriculture: Strategy from Science", involved scientists and decision-makers from the UK and across Europe. Leading researchers gave details of MAFF's multi-million-pound programme to examine the effects of different farming practices on nitrate losses to waterways and groundwaters.

Presentations to the conference showed:
i) how better understanding of soil processes has led to improved fertiliser decision support systems for grassland and arable farmers;
ii) that nitrate leaching from arable land can be reduced by using appropriate crop varieties and the best fertiliser recommendation systems, along with appropriate pest and weed control and autumn crop cover;
iii) that losses from animal manures can be minimised if modern spreading and nutrient-testing methods are used to help ensure that applications match crop needs;
iv) how modelling has provided an accurate means of testing the potential impacts of changes to farming practice on nitrate leaching at the catchment and national scale;
v) how the results of R&D have been disseminated through a wide variety of methods including face-to face advice, technical booklets, articles and demonstrations.

Mr Morley said: "Nitrates are a prime example of modern farming methods having a direct impact on the environment. Nitrogen fertilisers have played a key role in the dramatic increase in agricultural productivity over the last 50 years, but this progress has not been without a downside. Increasing levels of nitrates in our water system have led to concerns about the possible effects on drinking water and public health. At the same time there is the risk of eutrophication - the over-enrichment of coastal waters that can disrupt the ecological balance and even lead to fish mortality. UK scientists have always been at the forefront of crop nutrient research, and our science base was therefore well-equipped to tackle these issues from an environmental perspective. The results announced today demonstrate both the seriousness we attach to this issue and our belief in basing action on sound science. The more farmers know about the impacts of fertilisers and how to control them, the more likely it is that adverse effects can be avoided."