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Drainage<br />

Infr<strong>as</strong>tructure<br />

Containment<br />

Behaviour Change<br />

Figure 2: Different pollution control approaches for diffuse sources of<br />

pollution, in relation to volume and toxicity (D’Arcy, 2005)<br />

Modifications to the SSAFO (Scotland) regulations are currently being considered by<br />

the Scottish Executive. The aim of these changes will be to permit more sustainable<br />

management of wider environmental issues and more cost-effective pollution<br />

prevention.<br />

In-field me<strong>as</strong>ures<br />

Land use decisions, which may change on an annual b<strong>as</strong>is for any given farm,<br />

can dr<strong>as</strong>tically alter the diffuse pollution potential of a given area (see D’Arcy and<br />

Frost, 2001). As such, this is perhaps the most difficult area to control by specific<br />

regulations. It is hoped that the cross-compliance elements of the reform of the<br />

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Community such <strong>as</strong> GAEC (Good<br />

Agricultural & Environmental Condition), and perhaps land management contracts,<br />

will go a long way to delivering better environmental farming practice. It may be<br />

possible to include GBR me<strong>as</strong>ures that require conservation tillage techniques for<br />

example in nutrient sensitive catchments, or prohibit autumn sowing in erosion prone<br />

soils in nutrient sensitive catchments. Some in-field hotspots can result in pollution<br />

where drainage enters a watercourse at a particular location; this is considered in<br />

the next section.<br />

Riparian me<strong>as</strong>ures<br />

Buffer zones for arable land and for livestock densities in excess of a threshold<br />

could be specified in a national GBR, but would probably have to be so small <strong>as</strong><br />

to be in need of significant extension on a site-specific b<strong>as</strong>is in particular problem<br />

catchments or designated are<strong>as</strong>. The me<strong>as</strong>ures are already widespread in forestry<br />

planting, and in agriculture a buffer zone at le<strong>as</strong>t 2 m wide me<strong>as</strong>ured from the stream<br />

bank top is required under GAEC. Design criteria for effectiveness in relation to<br />

different issues need to be established.<br />

A farm licence would allow for site specific me<strong>as</strong>ures, and the use of maps appended<br />

to the licence showing the lay-out of steep or erosion prone slopes that would not be<br />

197

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