Yorkshire farmers 'must improve slurry storage'

Farmers from Yorkshire and the north-east have been urged to improve their slurry storage facilities ahead of the introduction of a Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) deadline, which aims to boost water quality and soil quality.

Businesses operating in the farming sector have just four months to comply with the new regulations, but have been warned that they should not leave the necessary improvements until the last minute.

However, research by the Environment Agency and the National Farmers Union has shown that many farmers have already taken steps to improve slurry storage on their premises.

The organisations claimed that as well as improving soil quality and water quality, farms that have adopted new slurry storage facilities are also benefitting from reduced fertiliser costs.

Environment Agency senior environment officer Iain McDonell said: "The action they are taking will help to protect our rivers from serious pollution incidents."

Recently, pesticide costs for UK farmers are expected to rise following an invasion of American potato flea beetles, BBC Farming Today reported.

Posted by Lauren Steadman