Farm inspections Becky Hibbert Environment Officer - Agriculture - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Farm inspections

Becky Hibbert Environment Officer - Agriculture

The Environment Agency

Flood Risk Management Water Resources Fisheries, Conservation & Biodiversity Navigation & Recreation Radioactive substances Environment Management

Content

Farm selection How we regulate The farm inspection What if we find something wrong..

Farm Selection

Water Framework Directive Known issues and incident reports High risk crops Other evidence of risk

Incident Response and Follow up

6 We received 2585 slurry store related incident reports between 2001 and 2012

How we Regulate

Cross Compliance now done by RPA We target farms based on evidence Pragmatic approach to reduce pollution Farm visits Discuss issues that impact the environment Identify legislative requirements which are not being met Give advice and guidance to address these Work with you to agree an action plan Enforcement action

Post visit letter with action plan

Post- visit letter with action plan

UNCLASSIFIED

‘Conventional’ regulation

Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008 (NVZ) Sludge Use in Agriculture Regulations 1989 SSAFO, as amended 2010 etc. EPR 2010 IPPC Pigs and Poultry Former Groundwater Authorisations Waste Management (Exemptions, Mobile Plant) Hazardous Waste Water Abstractions (especially Spray Irrigation) Radioactive Substances Act 1993 9

What might you be asked to discuss during a visit?

Nutrient management and efficiency Farm infrastructure Soil management and structure Yard drainage Connectivity to Rivers Farm tracks Vehicle wash areas Pesticide storage and handling

Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008 (NVZ)

Nitrate Pollution prevention Regulations 2008 (NVZ)

New changes Must provide 5/6 months storage of slurries Tougher response to lack of storage No records No risk map

Nutrient Management

Planning Nitrogen use – the four stage plan Proof of assessing soil nitrogen supply (SNS) Assessment of crop need Calculate available N from organic manure applications Calculate amount of bagged N needed

Nutrient Management

Nutrient sampling Are P and K at target indices (2-2+)?

Options for storage of FYM Field heaps: no more than 12 months, No return for 2

years, Not with 10m of water course or field drains. Mark on risk map. In yard storage: On concrete (not cracked) with run off

• contained. Runoff may be low in N but is still high

BOD. Minimise surface area of the field heap.

Dirty water – Mostly water with some sediment/dung contamination from lightly contaminated yards. Low in N and P. No closed periods but is still contaminating.

Do not allow cattle feeding areas (Slurry) to wash to soakaways.

Dirty water

Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oils) Regs 1991 (SSAFO)

Control building and design of Storage facilities. Applies to all structures post-1991

SSAFO

A fifth of slurry stores inspected by the EA in 2012/early 2013 were deemed non complaint with the SSAFO storage volume (4 months), of which 36% were judged to be causing environmental harm

Impermeable surface resistant to acidic conditions Drainage channel to contain any leachate Impermeable walls with no gaps strong enough to take weight Silage made at >30% DM to reduce leachate Rain running through the silage after silage is unwrapped is dirty water.

SSAFO - Silage

SSAFO - Silage

No perimeter drains to collect effluent No effluent collection tank

Bunded fuel tank in good condition Location

• ut of the

way so it cannot be knocked

• ver

All pipe work inside the bund and locked away Impermeable base to prevent ground contamination

SSAFO – Fuel oil

No bund Pipework is

• ut side of

a bund Surface water drain Rusting fit for purpose? No lock to prevent unauthorised access Dripping tap will soak into the ground

SSAFO – Fuel oil

This surface water drain is directly below the fuel filling

• area. Move it or have

emergency covers.

SSAFFO – Fuel oil

Reception pit. Must be 2 days capacity and have cut off valves Tank must be built to 20 year standard Must be able to contain 4 months storage

SSAFO - Slurry storage

SSAFO - Slurry storage

Not within 10m of watercourse Suitable soil – 20-30% clay Impermeable soil - <0.000001mm per second. Impermeable soil at least 1m thick at base

Yard Drainage

Surface and foul water separation Concrete condition Sediment trapping Vehicle wash areas

Pesticides storage and handling

Spraying operations Buffer zones Management of pesticide washings Certification Pesticides are high risk for watercourses

Biobed

Connectivity to water courses

High risk activities Pathways for sediments Soil management and slope

Soil Management

Soil Protection review Farm tracks Poaching River banks Compaction Run-off

Track before Track after

Livestock access to watercourses

Damage to bank Sediment released into watercourse Faeces in watercourse Poaching Run off

Benefits to restricting livestock access to watercourses

Complies with GAEC1- soil protection review so no loss of SFP In line with code of good agricultural practice Reduce risk of erosion Reduced risk to livestock of waterborne diseases and injury

Potential Solutions

Pasture pump Mains water trough

Cattle drinking bay

• Post and rail fencing;
• Access ramps with max. 1:4 slope;
• Drinking bays at least 3m wide;
• Stone or hardcore base.

Potential Solutions

Sludge regulations and land spreading

Control of the PTEs. Be aware it is your responsibility to know what nutrients are in the soil and if you can take the waste. We permit land spreading of waste to land (e.g. Food, compost). Permit SR2010No4 and exemptionU10/U11 required.

EPR waste exemptions

New exemption system Need to check the criteria of the new exemption Register online for free Should be done 1st Oct 2013

What happens if we find non compliant issues

We want to raise awareness of pollution risks. Will work with you to find a solution. We may point you to sources of support. We can take enforcement action/RPA. Please take any advice that is given.

Any Questions?

Useful info

• Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in England: guidance on

complying with the rules for 2013 to 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nitrate-vulnerable- zones-in-england-guidance-on-complying-with-the-rules-for- 2013-to-2016

• Registering waste exemptions online

http://www.environment- agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/32779.aspx

• Any questions in the future – pick up the phone or email us,

come and see me for my contact card