Nitrate sensitive zones

The old nitrate sensitive areas and nitrate risk zones were demarcated by order of the Flemish Government of 20 December 1995 identifying the nitrate sensitive areas under the Decree of 24 January 1984. The purpose of the demarcation of these areas was to protect current and potential drinking water extraction areas, as regards groundwater, for fertiliser contamination. This also followed up the required application of the European Nitrates Directive. A distinction is made between nitrate sensitive areas and nitrate risk zones. In practice, this means that a maximum of 170 kg of nitrogen from animal manure per ha per year may be applied in nitrate sensitive areas; there may also be a possibility of derogation. In the nitrate risk zones, there is a tightened exit system. Since 1 January 2007, the whole of Flanders has been a vulnerable area under the Nitrates Directive. Despite this, the previous nitrate-sensitive areas and nitrate risk zones have not been exempted to date, among other things because nitrate sensitive areas are part of the areas where water management agreements can be concluded. The nitrate risk zones do not have any meaning in the manure policy.