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equires the Minister to designate a list of such species and habitats in order to
further their conservation.
In addition to the environmental cost, damage to aquatic ecosystems reduces
the value of water bodies for amenity, recreation and drinking water supply with
significant health and economic implications. The total costs of agricultural pollution
in the UK have been estimated to be in the order of £250 million pounds per year,
with significant clean-up costs borne by the taxpayer.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN WATER AND AGRICULTURE POLICY
Best Management Practices for reducing the problem of diffuse pollution are well
documented (e.g. Vinten et al., 2005). However, policy mechanisms have so far failed
to ensure widespread adoption of the measures needed. The implementation of
the WFD through the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003
offers the opportunity for effective policy change, particularly if carefully aligned
with Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) reform measures and the Scottish Rural
Development Plan. The delivery of CAP Pillar 2 funding through the proposed new
system of Land Management Contracts (LMCs) must be a key element of any strategy
to address diffuse pollution from agricultural sources.
DIFFUSE POLLUTION STRATEGY
A Diffuse Pollution Strategy for Scotland should be developed, with a key role for
SEPA, in order to ensure the level of policy integration and implementation necessary
on a widespread and highly targeted basis. Priority catchments need to be identified
and targeted, with other measures being applied more generally for maximum effect.
Promotion of organic farming techniques would help reduce the reliance on, and
impacts of, inorganic fertilisers. A combination of incentives, advice and regulation
designed to support, engage and ultimately deter farmers and landowners from
carrying out damaging farming practices is required, including the following key
elements.
Regulation
The new regulatory system required by the WFD should provide the necessary
legislative basis for change; proposals by the Scottish Executive to introduce
national and targeted General Binding Rules (GBRs) have the potential to ensure the
application of good practice and should be properly integrated with the new LMC
system of agricultural incentives.
Incentives
Agricultural incentives offered through the proposed new LMCs should promote
good practice nationally, but particularly in priority catchments. There is considerable
scope for addressing diffuse pollution through LMC Tiers 1, 2 and 3. Measures that
are designed to meet multiple objectives including biodiversity, sustainable flood
management and improvements to public water supplies provide the best value for
funding:
• Widespread gains could be made in Tier 1 by introducing a requirement to prepare
and implement a compulsory Nutrient/Soil Management Whole Farm Plan as part
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