A SCOTTISH Government consultation launched yesterday will significantly reduce the overall area of farmland in Scotland affected by restrictions on nitrate use.

Areas most at risk of surface water and groundwater being polluted through nitrates are designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). They are subject to an Action Programme that restricts farming operations such as slurry spreading and the use of nitrate fertilisers.

The consultation proposes that, based on water quality measurements, geology, land use and other factors, the NVZ map for Scotland should be redrawn.

Currently 14.2% of Scotland is designated as NVZ in four areas. They are: Moray, Aberdeenshire, Banff and Buchan - Strathmore and Fife - Lothian and Borders -Lower Nithsdale. The consultation recommends the removal of areas affecting 35 groundwater bodies across these four NVZs, with the proposal that an area centred on Finavon be added to the Strathmore and Fife NVZ. The consultation also gives consideration to creating a new NVZ area around Piltanton Burn, near Stranraer.

Any changes at Fainavon and Piltanton are not proposed to take effect until autumn 2015 - 18 months from now.

NFU Scotland vice-president Allan Bowie said: "After years of lobbying for a more proportionate approach to NVZ designation, NFUS welcomes the Scottish Government's proposal to lift a significant number of Scottish farmers out of NVZ restrictions. That will be appreciated by many producers. We have always argued robust, scientific evidence must be the defining element in NVZ designation. The new methodology is more robust and is to be welcomed."

Meanwhile, beef producers will begin to receive their share of £22m from the Scottish Beef Scheme next week. The money will begin to arrive in farmers' bank accounts from Thursday, and it is expected that 95% of producers will have been paid by Wednesday, April 23.