Ensure any records needed to comply with nitrate vulnerable zone rules within designated areas are up to date, advise agronomists in our Arable section (see p50).

4300 INSPECTIONS

While the Environment Agency denies it, a number of agronomists report an increase in inspections on their clients” farms in recent weeks. The EA says it only plans to visit 5% of farms in English NVZs or 4300 in England and Wales in total this year. Records need to include fertiliser and manure spread, plus justification for applying nitrogen above rates DEFRA recommends in RB209.