New farming rules for water to prevent pollution and damage New ‘farming rules for water’ are to be introduced April 2, 2018 for all farmers in England.
Water pollution from agriculture damages wildlife in rivers and seas.
It also affects the economy as it results in higher water bills from increased water treatment, impacts on tourism and affects the shellfish industry.
They encourage farmers to think about the risk of water pollution, how to keep valuable topsoil on their fields and to apply fertilisers only when it is appropriate to do so.
The rules are intended to promote good practice in managing fertilisers and manures and encourage land managers to take reasonable precautions to prevent diffuse pollution from runoff or soil erosion.
Soil tests will be required at least every five years and these will be phased in.
Summary of the rules Rule 1: planning use of manures and fertilisers Application of organic manures and manufactured fertilisers to cultivated land must be planned in advance to meet soil and crop nutrient needs and not exceed these levels Planning must take into account where there is significant risk of pollution and the results of testing for phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, pH and nitrogen levels in the soil, which must be done at least every five years.
Soil nitrogen levels cab be determined by assessing the soil nitrogen supply instead of testing the soil.
In assessing whether there is “significant risk of pollution” a person must take into account the following factors: – slope of the agricultural land, especially if the slope is greater than 12 degrees – any ground cover – proximity to inland fresh waters and coastal waters – proximity to wetlands – weather conditions and weather forecasts – soil type and condition – presence and condition of agricultural land drains Rule 2: storing organic manures Organic manures must not be stored on land: – within 10 metres of inland freshwaters or coastal waters – where there is significant risk of pollution entering inland freshwaters or coastal waters – within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole Rule 3: applying manures or fertilisers Organic manures or manufactured fertilisers must not be applied: – if the soil is waterlogged, flooded, or snow covered – if the soil has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours – if there is significant risk of causing pollution Rule 4: where not to apply organic manures Organic manures must not be applied: – within 10 metres of any inland freshwaters or coastal waters, or within six metres of inland freshwaters or coastal waters if precision equipment is used – within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole Rule 5: where not to apply fertiliser Manufactured fertiliser must not be applied within two metres of inland freshwaters or coastal waters.
Rule 6: reasonable precautions to prevent soil erosion Farmers must take all reasonable precautions to prevent significant soil erosion and runoff from: – the application of organic manure and manufactured fertiliser – land management and cultivation practices (such as seedbeds, tramlines, rows, beds, stubbles (including harvested land with haulm), polytunnels and irrigation) – poaching by livestock Rule 7: protecting against soil erosion by livestock Any land within five metres of inland freshwaters and coastal waters must be protected from significant soil erosion by preventing poaching by livestock.