Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2008 - action programme: consultation response - review of measures

Conclusion and Next Steps

Overall, the majority of respondents supported the NVZ-AP review. Given the review, the consultation feedback, and wider considerations such as the continued phased implementation of the EASR^[5] diffuse pollution mitigation measures, we consider that the NVZ-AP measures remain appropriate and do not intend to make any changes as a result of this review.

We will consider potential areas of research and new measures ahead of the next review in 2029. Our consultation included a question seeking recommendations for future research, which received four responses. We are grateful for these responses, and we will consider the suggested areas for future research and any opportunities to take them, and wider research questions, forward. For example, through the Scottish Government’s Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture (ENRA) research programme^[6].

In addition, one response highlighted the forthcoming amendments from the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations (COPA) to Article 2(g) in the Nitrates Directive^[7] 91/676/EEC. The EU Commission has now formally adopted this new amendment^[8] on 9 February 2026. This interim change would allow for the use of RENURE fertilisers (REcovered Nitrogen from manURE) above the existing legal limit for the application of manure and processed manure, with the aim of enabling farmers to replace chemical fertilisers with RENURE fertilisers. The EU is also undertaking a wider review of the Nitrates Directive, which could propose further changes to measures. We will work with stakeholders to consider the implications of alignment with these changes for Scotland.