The Water (Prevention of Pollution) (Code of Practice) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order approves the Nitrogen and Phosphorus Supplement to the Code of Good Practice for the Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity which is to be issued by the Scottish Ministers on 1st June 2001 in so far as it relates to pollution of water. This Supplement replaces Sections 5 and 6 of the Code of Practice, which was issued by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 25th July 1997.

The Supplement gives practical guidance to persons engaged in agriculture with respect to activities that may cause nitrate water pollution and seeks to promote desirable practices by such persons in this field.

The Supplement forms the code of good agricultural practice for the purposes of Article 4 of Council Directive 91/676/EC (O.J. No. L 375, 31.12.91, p.1) concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources.

The supplement also has a further purpose in relation to the requirements of Article 4 of Council Directive 91/676/EC. This Article requires Member States to establish a code of good agricultural practice to be implemented by farmers on a voluntary basis, with the aim of providing waters with a general protection against pollution. Article 5 of the Directive deals with the establishment of Action Programmes in respect of nitrate vulnerable zones. Once a nitrate vulnerable zone has been designated and Action Programme Regulations are made, measures in the code (insofar as not contained into the Action Programme Regulations) become mandatory requirements on farmers. The supplement clarifies the content of these measures.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is required, by section 51(2) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to take into account whether there has been or is likely to be any contravention of an approved code of practice when considering when and how to exercise any powers which may be conferred on it by any regulations as may be made under section 31A of that Act.

Copies of the Code are available for inspection at and may be obtained (without charge) from the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department, Pentland House, 47 Robb’s Loan, Edinburgh EH14 1TW.