# The Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015, Regulation 16: Restrictions on spreading nitrogen fertiliser

Extent: E+W+S+NI

(1) Before spreading nitrogen fertiliser, the occupier of a holding must undertake a field inspection to consider the risk of nitrogen getting into surface water.
(2) A person must not spread nitrogen fertiliser on that land if there is a significant risk of nitrogen getting into surface water; and in the assessment of that risk, account must be taken of the following in particular—
(a) the slope of the land (especially if the slope is greater than 12 degrees);
(b) any ground cover;
(c) the proximity to surface water;
(d) the weather conditions;
(e) the soil type;
(f) the presence of land drains.
(3) A person must not spread nitrogen fertiliser if the soil—
(a) is waterlogged, flooded or snow covered, or
(b) has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours.
(4) A person must not spread manufactured nitrogen fertiliser within 2 metres of surface water.
(5) A person spreading nitrogen fertiliser must do so in as accurate a manner as possible.
(6) This regulation does not apply to land which is covered by a greenhouse.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/668/regulation/16 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/nitrate-pollution-prevention-regulations-2015/regulation-16
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.