Protection of Water Against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution (England and Wales) Regulations 1996 (S.I. No. 888).

These Regulations provide for the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. They implement Council Directive 91/676/EC which objective it is to ensure that measures are taken to reduce and prevent nitrate pollution. It provides a framework for action to reduce nitrate levels in catchments of rivers and groundwater sources affected by such pollution. These Regulations indicate nitrate vulnerable zones which shall be designated on the basis of monitoring by the Environment Agency (regs. 3 and 4). The Minister shall establish action programmes in respect of nitrate vulnerable zones (reg. 6). Contents of such action plan are outlined in regulation 7 and Schedule 4. (8 regulations and 4 Schedules)