Question reference: S1W-02494
- Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 11 November 1999
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Current status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 19 November 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1936 by Sarah Boyack on 25 October 1999, when it will be consulting on the designation of the Ythan estuary and catchment as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.
Answer
The consultation document will be released today to give interested parties an opportunity to comment. A major purpose of the consultation is to confirm the accuracy of the proposed zone before the formal designation. Maps of the NVZ will be available for inspection in the SERAD Offices in Inverurie, and officials there will be able to help with enquiries from farmers and others.Evidence from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's surface water monitoring network has revealed a number of other water courses along the East Coast which have elevated levels of nitrate. These are in Angus (Lunan Water, Brothock Burn, Elliot Water, Barry Burn and Monikie Burn), in Fife (the River Eden and the Kenly Water), and in the Borders (the Eye Water and Eden Water).Designation of the catchments of these waters as NVZs is currently being considered, but no decision has yet been taken.