THE NFU has organised two major meetings to discuss the proposed nitrate vulnerable zone legislation which, if implemented, could cost farmers thousands of pounds and affect their operations.
Both meetings are on Friday, February 15, one at Scotch Corner hotel at 11am; the other at the NFU regional office in Tadcaster Road, York, at 3.30.
The legislation could see 80- 100pc of land in England designated as "nitrate vulnerable" compared with the present 8pc.
The government has sent a questionnaire to all farmers in England, but the NFU is is preparing to issue advice to members later this month and asks them not to return the questionnaires before seeing it.
"We are concerned that the government has not given farmers all the relevant information they need to give a balanced reply to the questionnaire," said Mr Michael Paske, NFU vice president.
The NFU believes the consultation is too restrictive as it only provides options of either 80pc or 100pc of the country being designated as NVZ. The union also questions the scientific evidence used.
The meetings will be led by Mr Paske and Mr Michael Payne, the NFU's consultant on nitrate vulnerable zones. There will also be representatives from Defra and the Environment Agency.
The consultation period closes on February 28, 2002
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