The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2023

Insertion of new regulations 4A and 4B

5.  After regulation 4 (application of livestock manure – total nitrogen limit for the whole holding), insert—

Application of grazing and non-grazing livestock manure on qualifying grassland holdings during the relevant period

4A.(1) The occupier of a qualifying grassland holding must ensure that during the relevant period—

Formula

where—

A is the area of the holding (hectares), as existing on 1 January 2024;

Ngl is the total amount of nitrogen (kg) in grazing livestock manure applied to the holding during the relevant period, whether directly by an animal or by spreading, calculated in accordance with table 1 in Schedule 1;

Nngl is the total amount of nitrogen (kg) in non-grazing livestock manure, applied to the holding during the relevant period, whether directly by an animal or by spreading, calculated in accordance with table 2 in Schedule 1.

(2) Where the occupier of a qualifying grassland holding intends during the relevant period to apply to the holding, whether directly by an animal or by spreading, a total amount of nitrogen in grazing livestock manure which exceeds 170 kg multiplied by the area of the holding in hectares, they must—

(a)submit a notice to NRW in accordance with regulation 4B, and

(b)comply with the enhanced nutrient management requirements in Schedule 1A.

(3) In calculating the area of the holding for the purposes of ascertaining the amount of nitrogen to be spread on the holding, no account is taken of surface waters, any hardstanding, buildings, roads or any woodland (unless that woodland is used for grazing).

Notice requirements

4B.(1)  A notice under this regulation must include—

(a)the name of the occupier of the qualifying grassland holding,

(b)the address of the qualifying grassland holding,

(c)a written statement that the occupier intends during the relevant period to apply to the holding, whether directly by an animal or by spreading, a total amount of nitrogen in grazing livestock manure which exceeds 170 kg multiplied by the area of the holding in hectares, and

(d)a written statement that the occupier will comply with the additional requirements set out in Schedule 1A.

(2) A notice must be submitted to NRW by 31 March 2024 and must be accompanied by the enhanced nutrient management plan for the qualifying grassland holding.

(3) The notice and accompanying enhanced nutrient management plan must be submitted to NRW by e-mail(1).