Download as a PDF - CiteSeerX

RED, AMBER AND GREEN FOR THE NEW PEPFAA
CODE
C Christian 1 , R Audsley 2 and AH Sinclair 3
1
SAC Environmental, Bush Estate, Penicuik, EH26 0PH, UK, E-mail: carole.christian@
sac.co.uk; 2 SAC Farm Business Services, Auchincruive, Ayr, KA6 5HW, UK; 3 SAC
Environmental, Craibstone Estate, Aberdeen, AB21 9YA, UK
SUMMARY
A revised PEPFAA (Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity)
Code was launched in March 2005 (Scottish Executive, 2005). A shortened version
called the PEPFAA Do’s and Don’ts Guide (Scottish Executive, 2004) has been
sent to all agricultural holdings in Scotland in the hope that it will be referred to on
a regular basis in the workplace. The purpose of the Code is to provide practical
guidance on minimising the risks of environmental pollution from farming operations.
A new feature is the Red, Amber and Green highlighted text. The points highlighted in
Red are mandatory for all farm businesses affected by the relevant legislation, Amber
are a requirement for receipt of the Single Farm Payment, and Green are voluntary
but if implemented will help minimise the risk of environmental pollution. There is
considerable emphasis placed on planning, as well as keeping records to show that
the planning has been implemented.
DIFFUSE AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION
A revised PEPFAA Code was launched in March 2005 (Scottish Executive, 2005). The
section on Diffuse Agricultural Pollution has increased in importance. Although water
quality in Scotland is generally good, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
(SEPA) considers that diffuse agricultural pollution is now the most significant cause
of poor river quality in certain parts of Scotland and that it will continue to be so unless
appropriate action is taken at individual farm and catchment level to turn the situation
around. Activities such as ploughing, seedbed preparation, crop spraying, fertiliser
spreading and applying slurry may all contribute to diffuse pollution if inappropriately
carried out. Run-off after rainfall from farm roads and yards, the surface of fields,
and dirty roofs are all potential sources of diffuse pollution. Such pollution tends
to arise over wide areas of land making it difficult to control. The key to preventing
diffuse pollution by nitrate is to ensure that all inputs are carefully accounted for and
that applications are not made in excess of the requirements of the growing crop.
Preparation and implementation of a nitrogen management plan are mandatory (a
Red highlight) on farms within designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). This N
plan is recommended as best practice from a cost-efficient and environmental point
of view for all farms spreading organic or inorganic inputs onto land, and involves
a Manure Management Plan (also known as a Farm Waste Management Plan or
FWMP) on livestock farms.
SOIL PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABILITY
One aspect of Cross Compliance, and a condition of receipt of the Single Farm
Payment, is a requirement to maintain the land in ‘Good Agricultural and Environmental
Condition’ (GAEC). GAEC standards relate to soil erosion, soil organic matter, soil
203