From the end of November, Whole Farm Approach (WFA) users have been able to use the new Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) Self assessment tool.
The NVZ Self assessment tool will present the farmer with a series of questions shaped to their farm business to alert them should their land fall within a nitrate vulnerable zone and how to follow and embrace the new NVZ regulations.
December also saw a further two new releases:
The Food Standards Agency Animal Feed Guidance and Animal Feed Registration Tools. This guidance tool takes the form of a questionnaire and allows you to access your current farming practice against the requirements of legislation for on farm food and feed safety.
Some of the questions will offer a route to additional guidance which explains in more depth why practices are recommended and provides practical tips on how they might be implemented.
The Animal Feed Registration Tool allows you to register your animal feed activities with your local authority and VMD's Animal Medicines Inspectorate easily and quickly.
Farms using either animal feed or growing crops and selling them for animal feed must be registered under EC Regulation 183/2005 with the trading standards department of their local authority. Farms distributing or mixing into feed veterinary medicines or specified additives must be approved by VMD's Animal Medicines Inspectorate.
Soil Protection Review 2010. A brand new SPR for 2010 has been agreed and full representation will be offered on the Whole Farm Approach, replacing the existing version. Updates will follow each year, up to 2014. Additionally, the SPR 2010 will feature a sperate section on Buffer strips and Access to Waterlogged Soil adding greater farmer and partner benefits.
More information regarding the Whole Farm Approach is available at www.wholefarm.defra.gov.uk
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