Mr. Eddie Burgess:

Modelling is being done on this. Nitrate loss is a complex issue. The load applied increases the risk for nitrate loss. It does not necessarily increase the nitrate loss. The very oversimplified opinion is that cutting the amount of nitrogen applied will automatically result in a cut in nitrate loss. That is not necessarily the case. Different types of farming systems are riskier. Different soil types are riskier. Different seasons are riskier. Different years, depending on the climate in that year, may be more or less risky. All of these need to come into consideration to try to mitigate nitrate loss. That was the point I was trying to make earlier about measures being introduced. For example, Denmark introduced buffer zones 15 m back from water courses to improve water quality. Nitrate levels did not change a bit but it penalised farmers significantly. That method needed to be removed. When measures are introduced it is important to know they are effective. That is what we are evaluating in the agricultural catchments programme.