
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Protection of Water Against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 and shall come into operation on 29th October 2004.
2 

(1) In these Regulations –
 “Action Programme” has the same meaning as in Article 5 of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources;
 “the Departments” means the Department of the Environment and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development acting jointly;
 “Northern Ireland” has the same meaning as in the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47);
 “Regulations” means Regulations made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 (c. 68).
(2) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
3 
The Departments shall by Regulations establish and apply an Action Programme throughout the territory of Northern Ireland.
4 

(1) The statutory provisions referred to in paragraph (2) shall continue in operation unless and until the Departments by Regulations establish and apply an Action Programme throughout the territory of Northern Ireland.
(2) The statutory provisions referred to in paragraph (1) are the following, namely –
(a) The Protection of Water Against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003; and
(b) Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on 1st October 2004.
David Small
A senior officer of the
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 1st October 2004.
Judena Goldring
A senior officer of the
Department of the Environment
