Code of good agricultural practice for the prevention

CODE OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE 

FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION 

OF AIR AND SOIL

CODE OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE 

FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION 

OF AIR AND SOIL 

1. INTRODUCTION - PREVENT AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION 2 

1.1 About the Code of Good Agricultural Practice 4 

1.2 What are your responsibilities as a farmer? 5 

1.3 Air and soil legislation 5 

2. PREVENTING AIR POLLUTION 6 

2.1 Odours 7 

(i) Reducing odours from livestock buildings 7 

(ii) Reducing odours from slurry and manure stores 10 

(iii) Reducing odours when spreading organic wastes 12 

2.2 Ammonia emissions 15 

(i) Reducing ammonia losses from farm buildings 16 

(ii) Reducing ammonia losses from land application of slurry 17 

2.3 Smoke 18 

(i) Disposal of tyres and rubber 18 

(ii) Burning straw and stubble 19 

(iii) Burning moorland vegetation 21 

(iv) Burning plastic 22 

(v) Burning animal carcases 23 

2.4 Greenhouse gases 24 

3. PREVENTING SOIL POLLUTION 27 

3.1 Maintaining soil fertility 28 

3.2 Preventing physical soil degradation 30 

3.3 Preventing chemical contamination 34 

APPENDIX 1 - Useful contacts 38 

APPENDIX 2 - Air and soil legislation 40 

APPENDIX 3 - The Beaufort wind scale 42

CODE OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION OF AIR AND SOIL 

1 

INTRODUCTION - PREVENT AIR AND SOIL 

POLLUTION

• Pollution is unacceptable to people, it damages the 

environment and is harmful to wildlife. 

• Farming activities have the potential to cause 

pollution of air and soil. 

• Air pollution can be caused by odour and ammonia 

emissions from livestock buildings, farmyards and 

by manures and slurries during and after spreading. 

• Soil can be polluted by contaminated floodwaters, 

oil spillage and other chemicals/substances. It can 

also be degraded through wind and water erosion. 

• Pollution is an offence and those responsible may 

be prosecuted. Anyone convicted of causing 

pollution, in addition to paying fines, may have to 

compensate for the damage caused - and this can 

be considerable. 

Prevent Air and Soil Pollution 

1 

Introduction 

3

1 

Introduction 

4 

1.1 

About the Code of Good Agricultural 

Practice 

The Code of Good Agricultural Practice (‘the Code’) for the Prevention of 

Pollution of Air and Soil is a practical guide for farmers, growers, 

contractors and others involved in agricultural activities. 

The Code covers the main agricultural activities that can give rise to 

pollution of air and soil. It describes some of the management practices 

that can be adopted to minimise the risk of causing pollution. 

Failure to comply with this Code does not give rise to criminal or civil 

liability but it may be taken into account in any legal proceedings 

involving a pollution incident. Compliance with the Code is therefore 

desirable and recommended. It should be noted that in the event of 

pollution occurring, compliance with the Code is not a statutory defence. 

Under EU Regulations farmers in receipt of Less Favoured Area 

Compensatory Allowances or agri-environment scheme payments i.e. 

Countryside Management, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Organic 

Farming Schemes, must comply with 'Good Farming Practice' in order to 

receive funding for these schemes. One of the requirements of Good 

Farming Practice is that farmers must retain a copy of this Code. 

Prevent Air and Soil Pollution

1.2 

What are your responsibilities as a farmer? 

• Ensure that you keep up to date with changes in legislation. 

• Ensure you, your staff and contractors on the farm who handle any 

substances that could pollute air or soil know about the causes and 

consequences of pollution. 

• Ensure you and your staff know how to operate and maintain all 

equipment used. 

• Have an emergency action plan - know how to deal with a pollution 

problem if it happens. 

• Take active steps to reduce the risks of air and soil pollution. 

• Get advice on any aspect of pollution control from local DARD 

Countryside Management staff – see Appendix 1. 

1.3 

Air and soil legislation 

Legislation dealing with the pollution of air and soil in Northern Ireland is 

summarised in Appendix 2. 


1 

Introduction 

5


2 

PREVENTING AIR POLLUTION

2.1 

Odours 

• Every year in Northern Ireland, complaints are received about odour 

nuisance from farms. Under the Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878, 

local councils have the responsibility to inspect their areas for odour 

nuisances and to investigate complaints. In certain circumstances 

local councils may take action under this legislation. 

• Most odour nuisance arises from pig and poultry units, especially 

following spreading of poultry manure or litter. 

• Spreading silage effluent can also cause odour problems. 

(i) Reducing odours from livestock buildings 

Farm odour from livestock buildings can be greatly reduced by: 

– good management of existing units, including maintaining a high 

standard of hygiene and cleanliness; 

– good planning of new units. They should be sited well away from 

housing developments and must comply with the Northern Ireland 

Building Regulations. Details are available from your local Council 

offices. Buildings over a certain size may also need planning 

approval. 


2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

7

2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

8 

Collection and storage of slurry, manure and waste water 

To reduce the risk of smell: 

– remove livestock waste daily using scrapers (automatic or otherwise) 

or by using channels beneath slatted floors; 

– avoid adding water to poultry manure as this increases the smell 

problem. Pig slurries can be flushed out from under slatted floors 

with water to minimise odours; 

– do not allow manure to accumulate around buildings that have been 

cleared of stock. Regularly clean and thoroughly disinfect housing 

after each batch of stock has been removed; 

– increase slurry storage to provide at least six months capacity. You 

can choose when to spread more carefully and thereby reduce the 

risk of odour nuisance; 

– collect water running off dirty concrete areas separately from clean 

water and spread as recommended in Section 2.4 of the Code of 

Good Agricultural Practice for Prevention of Water Pollution. It should 

not be allowed to flow onto roads or into waterways or drains. 


Livestock and fallen animals 


– fallen animals should be disposed with in accordance with Section 8 

of the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for Prevention of Pollution 

of Water; 

– animals should be kept in healthy and clean conditions; 

– do not overstock. Refer to the Department of Agriculture and Rural 

Development’s (DARD's) “Recommendations for the Welfare of 

Livestock” booklets for guidance. These are available from your local 

DARD Divisional Veterinary Office; 

– use dry bedding which is free from dust and moulds; 

– regularly maintain drinking water systems to avoid overflows which 

could wet any bedding or poultry litter and cause odours. 

Ventilation 


– ensure that temperature, humidity, dust levels and amounts of 

poisonous gases are controlled in any building by using proper 

ventilation. High humidity can result in high levels of ammonia and 

smells, as well as affecting animal health; 

– clean ventilators between batches of livestock so that the correct 

airflow is maintained; 

– position ventilation outlets as high as possible to maximise dilution of 

smells by air currents. Ventilators along the sides of buildings, over 

slurry collection channels and below slatted floors can increase smell 

problems; 

– seek advice about the positioning of ventilator outlets. 

Feeding areas 


– avoid long feed drops into meal bins and onto floors as odours can 

be absorbed by dust particles and carried in the air. Liquid feeding 

systems greatly reduce dust and odours; 

– store feeds that have strong smells, such as whey, molasses and 

yeast in properly constructed containers that are easy to empty and 

fill so as to avoid spillage; 

– provide a concrete delivery and feed preparation area that can be 

easily cleaned. Washings should be directed into the dirty water 

collection system. 


2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

9

2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

10 

HEALTH AND SAFETY NOTE 

Precautions when mixing slurry. 

Agitation or re-circulation of slurry produces dangerous gases which 

are lethal to both operators and livestock. 

Anyone working with slurry or in slurry tanks must be made aware of the 

dangers created by slurry gases and the precautions to take. Below-ground 

tanks contain lethal gases and should not be entered unless wearing fresh 

air breathing apparatus. A warning notice to this effect should be displayed 

on or adjacent to the store. When mixing slurry in confined spaces such as 

slatted houses: 

- remove all the animals before starting to mix; 

- ventilate well, providing openings at both ends to induce a strong through 

draught at floor level - remember, air movement is limited during frosty 

weather; 

- provide and use outside mixing points as much as possible. Stay outside 

the house – especially during the early stages of mixing. Allow adequate 

time for the gas to displace before going into the building; 

- make sure another adult is nearby to summon emergency help if needed; 

- do not smoke or allow naked lights during agitation or if reaching into the 

tanks as the gas mixture is highly flammable; 

- keep children and pets well away - the highest toxic gas levels are often 

nearest the ground but can also be dispersed upwards beside walls and 

buildings. 

Further information on the dangers associated with slurry gases and 

precautions to be taken can be found in the Agricultural Safety leaflet ‘Slurry 

Gases’. For further information contact Health and Safety Executive for 

Northern Ireland (HSENI). Tel: (028) 9025 1333. 

(ii) Reducing odours from slurry and manure stores 

New slurry stores must comply with the Control of Pollution (Silage, 

Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations (Northern Ireland) which are 

expected in 2003. Section 2.2 of the Code of Good Agricultural Practice 

for the Prevention of Pollution of Water gives further details. 

Manure stores must meet the requirements of BS 5502 (Part 22). 

Planning approval may be needed for stores over a certain size. 


Slurry stores 

Slurry produces more offensive odours than solid farmyard manure. This 

is because slurry is often stored for long periods in warm conditions and 

it often has other organic wastes such as silage effluent added to it 

which increase the production of smells. Odours can be reduced by: 

– storing waste milk products, waste food and silage effluent 

separately from slurry; 

– treating the slurry with anaerobic or aerobic digestion techniques. 

This involves a high capital investment. 

Covering slurry stores will further reduce odours. In certain 

circumstances it is possible to build a floating or fixed cover for existing 

slurry tanks. Slurry that is frequently agitated will produce odours. An 

efficient agitation system that can break up any crust or remove any 

sediment should be installed and used before the tank is to be emptied. 

Manure stores 

Solid manures compost naturally without producing much odour if they 

are well aerated. A long, low, narrow store is preferable, no more than 

10-15 metres wide and no taller than 3 metres high to allow as much 

of the manure surface to be exposed to the air as possible. Poultry 

manure has the potential to develop a strong odour if it gets wet. 

• Manure from laying hens has a dry matter content of 20-24% but air 

drying under cover in the poultry house or in a separate storage area 

will dry it further and reduce the amount of odour produced. Air 

drying also reduces ammonia loss and therefore retains the fertiliser 

value of the manure. 


2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

11

2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

12 

• Broiler litter can have a dry matter content of up to 65%. Before 

spreading, store it under cover on an area of hard standing for at 

least one month to keep it dry and prevent odour problems. 

• If there is insufficient undercover storage, store the manure outside 

in narrow ‘A’ shaped heaps well away from any residential area. Take 

care to site heaps at least 10 metres from any waterway or field 

drain. 

(iii) Reducing odours when spreading organic wastes 

Slurry, manure and other organic wastes provide crops and grass with 

valuable plant nutrients but they can produce unpleasant odours that 

are detectable over considerable distances during spreading. Pig slurry, 

wet poultry slurry and silage effluent can be particularly offensive. Cattle 

slurry is least odorous but its smell is much more persistent after 

spreading. Fresh material has the least smell. 

Other organic wastes such as blood or sewage sludge should be injected 

or incorporated into the soil immediately after application in order to 

reduce the smell nuisance. For further advice on the prevention of 

pollution by these wastes, see Section 4 of the Code of Good 

Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution of Water. 


Guidelines to reduce odour when spreading 

• Unless organic wastes are band spread, injected or have been 

treated to reduce odour, avoid spreading at weekends, public 

holidays or in the evenings. Where possible, slurry or manure 

spreading should not be carried out within 1km up-wind of a 

residential development or areas to which the public has access. 

• Use a weather forecast to choose suitable conditions for spreading. 

Avoid spreading during windy conditions or when the wind is blowing 

towards neighbouring houses or populated areas. Avoid spreading in 

conditions of high humidity or clear still nights which prevent odour 

from dispersing. 

• Match the application rate to crop requirements but do not apply 

more than 50,000 litres/hectare of slurry or 50 tonnes/hectare of 

manure in one application. On bare land, lightly cultivate the slurry, 

manure or other organic wastes into the soil as soon as possible 

after spreading. 

• Avoid overfilling tankers or spreaders to reduce the risk of spillages 

on roads and lanes. Any spillages on roads should be cleaned 

immediately as should muck carried on tractor wheels onto roads. 

• Clean the outside of spreading machinery regularly and direct all 

washings into the dirty water collection system. 


2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

"Be a good 

neighbour – 

avoid spreading 

organic wastes 

at weekends� 

public holidays 

or in the 

evenings" 

13

2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

14 

"Slurry 

injection can 

reduce odour 

emissions 

by ��" 

Spreading equipment 

It is important to use a spreading system which suits the fields in which 

it will be used. 

• Conventional ‘splash plate’ slurry spreader 

This spreading method can result in significant odour and, where 

possible, should only be used away from residential areas. 

A spreader with a low trajectory and which produces large droplets 

will give some reduction of odour. The droplet size can be varied by 

adjusting the rubber nozzle at the rear of the tanker. 

• Band spreader/trailing shoe spreader/dribble bars for slurry 

These methods can reduce odour omissions by 55-60% compared 

with a conventional spreader. They spread slurry at ground level 

through discharge pipes. The trailing shoe spreader has a shoe 

added to the end of each pipe to allow slurry to be deposited under 

the crop canopy onto the soil. 

• Slurry injection 

Deep injection can reduce odour emissions by 85% compared with a 

conventional spreader. Where it can be used, it is by far the best 

method of application to minimise odour and ammonia loss and to 

obtain the best from the slurry nutrients. 

With deep injection, a winged tine is used to loosen the soil and mix 

in the slurry over a 20cm wide strip. This method is not suited to 

heavy, dry or stoney land, especially where there are steep slopes. 

Deep injection also requires a more powerful tractor than other 

systems. 

Shallow injection applies the slurry at a depth of 50-80mm in 

grooves 250-300mm apart. The groove is closed by press wheels or 

discs. Shallow channel injection does not close over the groove and 

therefore odour reduction is similar to a band spreader. 

• Rain guns and travelling irrigators 

These systems can be used to spread dirty water or silage effluent, 

or the liquid fraction from separated slurry. 

Choose sprinklers, irrigators or rain guns with low trajectories and 

large droplet size to reduce the risk of vapour and odour drift. Move 

them regularly. 

• High trajectile spreaders/sludgigators 

These systems should be avoided. High trajectile spreaders cause 

the jet of slurry to shatter into very small drops and cause a 

concentrated release of odorous compounds directly into the air. 


2.2 

Ammonia emissions 

• Ammonia contributes to acid rain formation which can cause 

long-term detrimental damage particularly to upland soils and can 

also cause damage to trees and other vegetation. 

• About 35% of ammonia emissions from agriculture in the UK is from 

livestock buildings and another 35% is from land spreading of slurry 

and manure. 

• Poultry manure produces significantly more ammonia than cattle or 

pig slurry or manure. 

• Reducing ammonia emissions benefits the environment and the 

farmer. 

• Losses from grazed pasture are much lower than those from 

buildings or from land spreading. About 5% of the nitrogen applied 

as fertiliser is lost as ammonia from grazed grassland. 


2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

"Reducing 

ammonia 

emissions 

benefits 

the 

environment 

and the farmer" 

15

2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

"�� of 

the nitrogen 

16 

fed to 

livestock is 

excreted" 

(i) Reducing ammonia losses from farm buildings 

• Remove slurry and manure frequently from buildings. Scrape and 

wash floors in cattle and pig units regularly. 

• Rapid air dry poultry litter and keep it dry at all times. 

• Certain chemicals can be added to stored manures to manipulate 

their pH balance. These include special flushing liquids that 

neutralise both odour and ammonia. 

• Bioscrubbers and biofilters for reducing ammonia emissions and 

odours are a developing technology. They are too expensive to be 

widely used at present. 

• Try to design buildings and slurry systems to reduce the exposed 

surface area of slurry and reduce slurry temperature. 

• Diet optimisation: 

60-80% of the nitrogen fed to livestock is excreted and much of it is 

rapidly converted to ammonia. Ensure that animals are not fed more 

protein than they require for the target level of production. 


(ii) Reducing ammonia losses from land application of 

slurry 

Over 50% of total ammonia loss occurs within one day of spreading. 

Losses are negligible after five days. 

A number of techniques can be used to reduce ammonia emissions 

associated with slurry application: 

– deep soil injection (150mm) can reduce emissions to 3% of that of 

conventional tanker spreading; 

– soil incorporation of slurry on bare arable land can reduce emissions 

by up to 90%. This should be carried out by ploughing or rotavating 

in as soon as possible after spreading; 

– adding strong acid, for example, nitric acid to the slurry reduces its 

pH and also reduces ammonia emissions, however, this may 

increase odour production; 

– band spreading/dribble bars. 


2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

"Ploughing 

in slurry on 

arable land 

reduces 

ammonia 

losses by 

up to ��" 

17

2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

"Tyres and 

18 

rubber 

materials 

should never 

be burned" 

2.3 

Smoke 

Farms can generate considerable quantities of wastes including plastic, 

oil and pesticide containers. Burning wastes produced on the farm can 

lead to the production of considerable quantities of smoke as can 

burning straw, stubble and moorland vegetation. 

Every effort should be made to reduce the need to burn wastes on the 

farm. This can be done by: 

– reducing the use of materials if possible; 

– recycling materials where appropriate; 

– using alternative environmentally acceptable methods of disposal 

where practicable. 

Where burning is the only alternative for disposal, always: 

– ensure materials are dry and have a low moisture content; 

– keep fires small by continually adding small amounts of combustible 

material; 

– minimise the depth of the fire, do not pile material high on fires; 

– agitate the base of the fire to improve the air supply; 

– stop adding slow burning materials if the fire produces dark smoke; 

– ensure you do not cause a nuisance to nearby houses or businesses; 

– avoid breathing the smoke – it may damage your health. 

(i) Disposal of tyres and rubber 

Tyres and rubber materials should NEVER be burned. Burning produces 

large amounts of dark smoke which is an offence. It may also give off 

poisonous gases. 

– tyre suppliers may take old tyres off the premises after fitting new 

ones to agricultural machinery. Take large numbers of waste tyres to 

a specialist waste removal operator. 


(ii) Burning straw and stubble 

The burning of straw and stubble is strongly discouraged as it poses 

risks to: 

– farm buildings, crops and machinery; 

– the countryside - hedgerows and trees can be damaged, and wildlife 

disturbed or killed; 

– the public - the smoke can cause nuisance to nearby houses and 

businesses as well as being a hazard to road traffic. The emission of 

dark smoke is an offence under the Clean Air (Northern Ireland) 

Order 1981. Furthermore if burning gives rise to smoke that 

constitutes a nuisance under Section 107 of the Public Health 

(Ireland) Act 1878, local councils may take action to have the 

nuisance abated and to prevent its recurrence. 

Alternatives to straw burning 

• Baling and carting off the field. 

• Chopping and incorporating into the soil. 

• Burning baled straw in a suitable furnace. Such furnaces should be 

of an efficient design which do not emit dark smoke. The combustion 

process must also be controllable. 

• ‘Recycling’ straw into added-value products, such as garden 

composts. 

Where burning of straw and stubble is the only option, observe the 

following guidelines to allow it to be carried out safely and efficiently. 

Before burning 

• Make a fire break at least 10 metres wide by removing straw (bale or 

cart off) and then cultivating or ploughing to thoroughly incorporate 

the residues into the soil. 

• Inform the local fire brigade of your intention to burn. 

• Inform neighbours to prevent unnecessary alarm or inconvenience. 

• Consult the local Council Environmental Health Department if burning 

near a residential area. 

• Inform air traffic control at any airstrip with a perimeter fence within 

half a mile of the burn. 


2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

"Inform 

neighbours 

before 

burning" 

19

2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

"Limit burning 

to controllable 

20 

blocks" 

• Use an up-to-date weather forecast to assess whether to burn or 

not. Avoid burning during still conditions, during periods of variable, 

strong or gusting winds or when the wind exceeds Force 3 (8- 

12mph). Wind speed can be estimated by observing the effect on 

the environment (see Appendix 3). Assess wind direction and 

likelihood of wind direction change. 

• It is useful to have at least 1,000 litres of water available at each 

burn along with a pump capable of discharging 100 litres per minute. 

• Have at least five fire beating implements nearby as well as 

competent staff to use them. 

• Have a quick means of summoning help. 

During and after burning 

• Supervise each fire with at least two people and with an experienced 

person who has overall responsibility. 

• Limit burning to controllable blocks, with not less than 

150 metres between blocks being burned simultaneously. 

• Start early in the day. All fires must be out by nightfall. 

• Burn against the wind. 

• If the fire gets out of control, call the fire brigade. 

• Stop burning if conditions become unsuitable. 

• The fire must be completely out before you leave the field - check for 

smouldering. Return later to check again. 

• Vehicles used in connection with the burning operation must be 

equipped with a suitable fire extinguisher. 

• Persons not connected with the burning operation must be kept away 

from the field (especially children). 

• Incorporate the ash into the soil as soon as possible. 

• If burning within one mile of a forest, permission must first be 

obtained from the District Forest Office or owner. 

DO NOT BURN: 

– if the fire could get out of control; 

– within 15 metres of a hedgerow, tree, march fence or any public 

utility (for example, telegraph poles); 

– within 50 metres of residential, livestock or industrial buildings, 

glasshouses, scheduled ancient monuments, ripening standing crops, 


hay or straw stacks, woodland, nature reserves, or any accumulation 

of combustible material; 

– within 150 metres of any road or mainline railway; 

– within 150 metres of a block of straw or stubble already burning; 

– after dusk; 

– on weekends or public holidays; 

– when you may endanger or cause discomfort to the public; 

– when smoke could restrict visibility on any road; 

– on peaty soils which may catch fire. 

(iii) Burning moorland vegetation 

When it is carried out properly, burning is followed by rapid regeneration 

of plants which are very nutritious for sheep and cattle. To avoid damage 

to wildlife and property, burning must be well controlled. 

Time of burning 

The best time to burn heather is in autumn. Under the Game Law 

Amendment Act (Northern Ireland) 1951, it is an offence to burn 

between 15 April and 31 August, any gorse, furze, whin, heath, ling or 

fern growing on any mountain, moor, heath, bog or other uncultivated 

land. In upland areas, where the meadow pipit and skylark may be 

nesting, it is recommended that burning is not carried out between 

1 April and 31 August. 

The Heather Burning Code 

• Burn in blocks of less than 2 hectares. 

• Limit burning to one tenth of the total area in any one year. 

• Fires must always be supervised and sufficient people and equipment 

on hand to control burning. 

• Avoid burning during still conditions, during periods of variable, strong 

or gusting winds or when the wind exceeds Force 3 (8-12mph). Wind 

speed can be estimated by observing the effect on the environment 

(Appendix 3). Assess wind direction and likelihood of wind direction 

change. 

• Light fires with the flames blowing downhill and away from areas of 

woodland, forest, scrub, bog and steep slopes. 

• If burning within one mile of a forest, permission must first be 

obtained from the local District Forest Office or owner. 


2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

"Do not burn 

moorland 

vegetation 

between 

�� April and 

�� August" 

21

2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

22 

“Recycle 

whenever 

possible” 

(iv) Burning Plastic 

Burning pesticide containers 

Pesticide containers should be emptied and thoroughly rinsed into the 

sprayer before disposal. Where possible, empty pesticide containers 

should be disposed of to a licensed waste disposal site. 

The burning of pesticide containers is strongly discouraged due to the 

possible emission of toxic gases and dark smoke, which is an offence 

under The Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. In certain 

circumstances, well rinsed, combustible containers, may be burnt a few 

at a time on a roaring fire. Professional advice should be sought from 

your local Council Environmental Health Department or from the 

manufacturer. Containers of hormone herbicides cannot be burned 

safely. 

When burning pesticide containers, the operator should: 

– ensure that burning takes place in an open space at least 

15 metres from a public road and not where smoke is likely to drift 

over people or livestock, housing, businesses or roads; 

– dig a shallow pit with cross trenches to supply air to the base of the 

fire, this will ensure a high temperature and good combustion, with 

much less smoke produced; 

– open all containers and place them on the fire a few at a time; 

– supervise the fire constantly; 

– extinguish the fire before leaving; 

– plastic that remains after burning should go to an approved landfill 

site. 

Burning plastic (other than pesticide containers) 

Plastic from packaging and product containers, silo covers and bale 

wrap often has to be disposed of from the farm. On-farm recycling of 

materials is very important to reduce the amount of waste for disposal. 

Re-usable plastics must be handled carefully to avoid damaging them. 

Biodegradable material should be buried or disposed of to a licensed 

landfill site. The burning of plastics is strongly discouraged due to the 

possible emission of dark smoke. This is an offence under The Clean Air 

(Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and local councils can take enforcement 

action. The burning of chlorinated plastics such as PVC, can also lead to 

toxic gases being produced. If inhaled, these can permanently damage 

your health. 


Use local recycling facilities for plastic products where possible. These 

materials should be clean and free from soil. 

Where recycling is not possible, plastics should be disposed of to a 

licensed landfill site. 

New Legislation 

In order to comply with European legislation, such as the Landfill 

Directive and the Waste Framework Directive, new legislation will soon 

be introduced in Northern Ireland. Some of this is likely to affect the 

agricultural industry, in particular the way in which waste is disposed of. 

For example, the scope of several pieces of legislation such as the Duty 

of Care Regulations, the proposed Waste Management Licensing 

Regulations and the proposed Landfill Regulations may be extended to 

include certain types of agricultural waste, including plastics. The 

industry will be fully consulted on any such proposals. 

(v) Burning animal carcases 

From 30 April 2003, burning of animal carcases or parts of carcases 

can only take place in an incinerator, which has been approved under 

the EU Council Regulation on the disposal of animal by-products (EC No 

1774/2002). Seek professional advice from your local Council 

Environmental Health Department on any matter concerning the 

installation or running of an incinerator. Incinerate dead animals as soon 

as possible. Never exceed the design loading rate of the incinerator. 

Section 8 of the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of 

Pollution of Water gives details of the safe disposal of fallen animals. 

If you think that a notifiable disease has caused ill health or death (for 

example anthrax) you must report it to the Divisional Veterinary Officer. 

He/she will advise on whether the carcase should be made available for 

a post-mortem examination. 


2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

“The burning 

of plastics 

is strongly 

discouraged” 

23

2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

“Improvements 

24 

in energy 

efficiency 

can also 

reduce farm 

running costs” 

2.4 

Greenhouse gases 

What are greenhouse gases? 

• The sun is the earth’s source of heat. Solar radiation from the sun 

heats the earth which in turn radiates energy back into space as 

infra-red radiation. Some gases in the upper atmosphere absorb and 

reflect this radiation, acting like the glass in a greenhouse, thus 

warming the earth and allowing plants and animals to survive. 

• Most of these gases are natural, but man's activities including 

agriculture are believed to be increasing their levels in the 

atmosphere resulting in 'enhanced' greenhouse effect. This may 

cause the earths surface to heat up even more. Climatic changes 

could cause a rise in sea level, as well as damage to agriculture and 

many other natural systems. 

Figure � 

Contribution of the main greenhouse gases from UK 

agriculture to global warming potential 

• Some greenhouse gases last for a long time in the atmosphere - 

action must be taken now to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. 

• The most important greenhouse gases are water vapour, carbon 

dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The 

contribution from UK agriculture to global warming potential is shown 

in figure 1. 


Reducing greenhouse gas emissions 

It is impossible to prevent all greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture 

but it is possible to reduce the amounts emitted. 

Carbon dioxide 

The most effective way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions is to use 

energy more efficiently. Alternative non-fossil fuels as sources of energy 

(for example, rape oil) may become more important in the future. 

Improvements in energy efficiency can also reduce farm running costs. 

You can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by: 

• properly maintaining engines by following the manufacturer’s 

recommendations. 

• choosing the lowest powered tractor capable of doing the required 

job. 

• not making unnecessary journeys and machinery passes; 

• maintaining fixed equipment such as grain driers, refrigerated stores 

and bulk milk tanks in good condition and operating them efficiently. 

• reducing heat loss from heated buildings by installing effective 

insulation and ventilation. 

• economising on fuel in heated glasshouses and mushroom houses 

by exercising precise control over temperature using thermal screens 

and correct maintenance of boilers and burners. 

• considering using non-fossil fuel energy sources where economically 

viable, such as solar heating, heat pumps, straw burning boilers, 

biogas from manure digestion, wind and water power. 

• making sure fertiliser spreaders are properly maintained and fertiliser 

is applied at the correct rate. Remember, large amounts of fossil fuel 

are needed to make nitrogen fertiliser. 


2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

“Large 

amounts of 

fossil fuel 

are needed 

to make 

nitrogen 

fertiliser” 

25

2 

Preventing 

Air Pollution 

26 

Methane 

Livestock and stored slurry are the main sources of methane loss in 

Northern Ireland agriculture. Research is being carried out on modified 

diets for livestock but it is unlikely that this will result in large reductions. 

The installation of anaerobic slurry digestion systems, which make use 

of methane produced from slurry, are a useful power source and reduce 

methane losses to the environment. Such systems require high capital 

investments and must be economically viable. 

Nitrous oxide 

Nitrous oxide from farms comes from reactions involving nitrogen 

compounds in fertilisers and soils, especially in waterlogged conditions. 

Avoid use of nitrogen fertilisers and manures on wet soils. 

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 

• CFCs may cause damage to the earth’s protective ozone layer as well 

as contributing to global warming. 

• CFCs are used in refrigeration equipment and halon fire extinguishers 

often kept for use on electrical fires. 

• Whenever such equipment is being serviced, make sure that no 

refrigerant is lost and do not allow unused equipment to deteriorate 

on-site. 

• Specialised contractors should be used to dispose of equipment 

containing refrigerant. 



3 

PREVENTING SOIL POLLUTION

3 

Preventing 

Soil Pollution 

28 

3.1 

Maintaining soil fertility 

The term ‘soil fertility’ covers the biological activity and chemical and 

nutrient status of any soil. 

Biological activity 

• Earthworms are the most obvious beneficial soil organisms but can 

be killed by certain chemicals that are added to the soil. Pesticides 

should be carefully selected for the purpose required and used 

according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

• High nitrogen manures and slurries, especially those containing a lot 

of ammonia and ammonium sulphate, can lower earthworm 

populations temporarily. However, in the long term slurry may 

increase earthworm populations as it is also a food source. Avoid 

applying slurry to wet or poorly drained soils. 

Acidification 

• Acidification is a natural process in all soils. The susceptibility of a 

soil to this process depends on the soil type, cropping and other 

management practices, and the acidity of any rain or snow. 

• The result of acidification is a lowering of the soil pH unless the soil 

is naturally lime-rich or a dressing of lime has been applied. A low pH 

will support a limited range of crops. 

• Avoid over-liming since this can reduce the availability of plant 

nutrients to any crop. 

• Some soils may have a high pH because of the presence of chalk or 

limestone. In theory, the pH can be lowered to allow the growth of a 

wider range of crops by adding sulphur. However, in practice, this is 

expensive and the decrease in pH is unpredictable. 

• A soil pH test is a valuable tool to ensure that the soil pH is correct 

for the crop to be grown. 


Soil nutrient status 

• Most plants require adequate supplies of nitrogen, phosphorus and 

potassium, as well as magnesium, calcium, sulphur, manganese, 

iron, copper, boron, zinc, molybdenum and chloride, to grow 

satisfactorily. These are generally supplied from soil reserves 

supplemented mostly by nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and 

sulphur in inorganic fertiliser, farmyard manures and slurries. 

• If soil pH and organic matter are maintained at appropriate levels, 

most plant nutrient requirements can be met by annual inputs. The 

soil can supply some nutrients for many years without addition. 

• Avoid applying excessive amounts of plant nutrients, especially 

nitrogen and phosphorus, since the excess can be leached out of the 

soil and lead to pollution of waterways. 

• Match applications of inorganic fertilisers, farmyard manures, and 

slurries to crop requirements and where necessary build up soil 

reserves of phosphorus and potassium. Apply at times which are 

appropriate to the needs of the crop and when ground and weather 

conditions are suitable. 

• A soil test carried out every 4-5 years to assess nutrient levels will 

avoid over or under-application of fertilisers. 

Organic matter levels 

• The level of organic matter in the topsoil influences its physical, 

chemical and biological properties, particularly its ease of cultivation, 

water retention capacity and nutrient availability to plants. If the 

organic matter level falls, it can restrict the soil’s ability to support 

plant growth. 


3 

Preventing 


“Soil test 

every � to 

� years to 

assess nutrients 

levels” 

29

3 

Preventing 


“The use of 

low ground 

pressure tyres 

30 

can help 

avoid soil 

compaction” 

• Cultivation increases the rate of decomposition of soil organic matter. 

Therefore organic matter levels are most likely to fall under 

continuous arable cropping where there is little return of plant 

residues or animal manures. 

• In the mostly grass-based agricultural systems of Northern Ireland, 

the soil organic matter level ranges from 8-20% depending on 

previous cropping. Levels in arable areas of England and Wales are 

often below 5%. 

• Adding animal manures over several years, incorporating crop 

residues or sowing out in grass will increase organic matter levels in 

low organic matter soils. 

3.2 

Preventing physical soil degradation 

Soils can be physically damaged, perhaps irreversibly, by compaction, 

topsoil removal and erosion. 

Soil compaction 

• Undisturbed soils develop a structure which allows air and water to 

reach plant roots. The use of heavy machinery when the soil is too 

wet can interfere with this structure through compaction and can 

also restrict root and crop growth. 


• Take soil conditions into account when planning field work. Large 

machines do not necessarily cause more damage because of faster 

work rates and fewer wheelings. The use of low ground pressure 

tyres can be a major benefit. 

• Compaction is not a widespread problem on soils in Northern Ireland 

and damage can normally be repaired by ploughing or subsoiling. 

• If compaction is severe, especially in soils with low organic matter, 

deep cultivation followed by several years in grass may be required to 

improve the soil structure. 

Topsoil removal 

• Humus rich topsoil takes thousands of years to form. The removal of 

topsoil can have a detrimental effect on the land’s ability to support 

crop growth and the effects are very difficult to reverse. 

• The removal of grass turf from agricultural land removes the surface 

layer of the soil along with its accumulated organic matter and plant 

nutrients. Modern turf removal techniques only remove a shallow 

layer of soil but repeated cutting will reduce the productivity of the 

land and should be avoided. 


3 

Preventing 


31

3 

Preventing 


32 

Soil erosion 

Soil erosion by wind and water has not been a major problem in 

Northern Ireland. However, soil erosion can: 

– cause damage to crops; 

– block waterways with silt and contaminate them with soil nutrients; 

– cause public nuisance through soil deposition on roads; 

– lead to a gradual loss of topsoil. 

Soil erosion by wind 

Wind erosion is confined mostly to the light, sandy soils of Magilligan 

and Comber. Even in these areas, the presence of hedgerows helps to 

reduce the severity of any erosion. 

Soil erosion by water 

Soil erosion by water occurs on all sloping arable land and recently 

re-seeded grassland, especially on lighter soils. Hedgerows and small 

fields in Northern Ireland help reduce erosion by intercepting water and 

suspended soil before there is a build up of water volume and flow 

speed. Only when losses from parts of fields are regularly in excess of 

3 tonnes/hectare does irreversible loss of fertility occur. 

Water erosion may occur when rainfall intensity exceeds the soil’s 

capacity to soak it up and the surface run-off is large enough and fast 

enough to carry soil particles. Soil particles in waterways increase the 

cloudiness of the water, which can damage aquatic life and diminish 

water quality. 

Careful management can substantially reduce the risk of soil erosion by 

water. Measures include: 

– good maintenance of field drains and drain outlets to minimise 

surface water and run-off. Channel surface water away from areas 

prone to erosion by using interceptor drains; 

– use of animal manures to increase soil organic matter and improve 

soil structure; 

– avoidance of over-cultivation and working the land when it is too wet; 

– avoidance of soil compaction by using low ground pressure tyres 

and/or dual wheels on tractors and equipment; 

– establishing crops as early as possible to give ground cover; 

– ‘green manuring’ where a cover crop is sown in early autumn and 

ploughed down in spring before the main crop is sown. This method 

also limits wind erosion and reduces the risk of nitrate leaching. 


Cultivation and drilling across the slope should only be attempted when 

the contours can be followed accurately and where it is safe to do so. 

Fields in Northern Ireland often have complex slopes so that contour 

working can lead to a concentration of run-off and more severe erosion. 

Where water erosion is a frequent problem, it may be possible to use 

strips of uncultivated ground next to watercourses to act as buffers to 

reduce the risk of soil loss. 

Land subject to severe and repeated soil erosion which cannot be 

controlled by changes in husbandry or cropping should be sown in 

permanent grass. 

Soil erosion by livestock 

The trampling activity of livestock at riverbanks can introduce polluting 

sediment into waterways. Such fine sediment can damage aquatic life 

and, in particular, it can become trapped in the gravel spawning beds of 

salmonoid fish (salmon and trout), making them unproductive. 

Increasing the sediment load of a river can also cause problems of 

siltation in a river and hence the need for greater maintenance. 

Measures to reduce the risk involve the provision of fencing at 

vulnerable locations. Cattle access for drinking in waterways should be 

managed to minimise disturbance to the banks and bed of a waterway 

by fencing off. 


3 

Preventing 


“Fence off 

waterways 

to prevent 

erosion” 

33

3 

Preventing 


34 

“Soil 

contamination 

can affect the 

fertility of the 

soil” 

3.3 

Preventing chemical contamination 

Soil contamination can affect the fertility of the soil as well as affecting 

livestock and the human food chain. 

Man's activities can contaminate soil, either directly through applying 

materials such as industrial wastes, slurry, sewage sludge, pesticides or 

fertilisers, or indirectly by atmospheric deposition such as lead from car 

exhausts. 

Soil may also become contaminated by natural processes such as 

flooding by freshwater or seawater. 

Soil contaminants can be: 

• inorganic materials such as heavy metals, sodium and chlorine. 

Some of these trace elements are essential for plant and animal 

growth but excessive concentrations under certain soil pH conditions 

can adversely affect the health of plants, animals and humans. The 

most likely source of heavy metals is from the application of sewage 

sludge. Copper and zinc may also be added to soils by pig slurry; 

• organic materials including man-made chemicals such as oil, 

solvents and pesticides. Some of these compounds are broken down 

harmlessly by soil micro-organisms but in some cases, toxic and 

persistent residues may be formed which cause just as much 

contamination. 

Soil contamination may affect: 

– soil processes leading to soil structure damage and death of soil 

microbes; 

– plant growth by reducing nutrient availability and restricting root 

development; 

– human or animal health by uptake into plants or by direct ingestion 

of soil; 

– waterways by run-off from contaminated land. 

Where there is any uncertainty about the current level of soil 

contamination, or where a new potentially contaminating waste such as 

sewage sludge is to be applied to farmland, it is important to seek 

professional advice and have a soil analysis carried out. 


Causes of soil contamination 

Pesticides 

The Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) 1985 controls the 

sale, supply, storage, use and advertisement of pesticides. Under this 

legislation it is an offence to pollute the environment and/or use a 

pesticide in such a way that would be likely to cause harm to humans 

and animals. It is very important to follow the manufacturer’s 

instructions on the use of any approved pesticide. Section 6 of the Code 

of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of the Pollution of Water 

gives further information. 

Inorganic fertilisers, slurry and manure 

A build up of nutrients from inorganic fertilisers, slurry and manure can 

be potentially harmful. Base the nutrients applied on soil analysis and 

never apply more nutrients than the crop needs. Always adjust the 

amount of inorganic fertiliser applied to take account of slurry nutrients, 

particularly phosphorus and potassium and never apply more than 

250 kg/ha/year of total nitrogen from organic sources. 

Pig slurry and poultry manure may contain high concentrations of copper 

and zinc. Where fields are receiving regular applications of pig slurry and 

poultry manure the content of these metals in the soil should be 

measured. 

Oil spillage 

Occasionally oil spillages may occur in fields. Most spillages are minor 

but in some cases action needs to be taken to prevent damage to the 

soil and contamination of groundwater and waterways. 


3 

Preventing 


“Never apply 

more nutrients 

than the crop 

needs” 

35

3 

Preventing 


“The time for 

complete soil 

recovery after 

contamination 

is �� years 

for light oil 

36 

and over 

� years for 

heavy/crude oil” 

When an oil spillage of any volume occurs: 

– minimise the fire hazard; 

– contain the oil and prevent run-off to drains and waterways; 

– remove as much of the oil as possible and dispose of it safely. 

Contaminated soil should be removed to a licensed disposal site, 

preferably after any oil (especially heavy oil) has been allowed to dry 

first. Further details are contained in Section 9 of the Code of Good 

Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution of Water ; 

– where possible, dig a sump to collect light oils, such as diesel or gas 

oil, then pump it out making sure that the sump does not penetrate 

any impermeable layer which is containing the oil; 

– do not burn oil on the soil surface; 

– do not attempt to wash the oil into the soil by using water and/or 

detergents; 

– avoid cultivating the soil as this will increase the rate of oil 

breakdown; 

– if necessary, add inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser before 

cultivation of heavily contaminated soils to give an adequate nutrient 

supply for soil micro-organisms. Do not add organic manures such as 

slurry or farmyard manure. 

The time for complete soil recovery after contamination is 1-5 years for 

light oil and over 5 years for heavy/crude oil. Commercial contractors 

offer services for cleaning up soil contaminated with oil. 

If there is any likelihood of pollution of neighbouring waterways contact 

the Pollution Hotline on Freefone 0800 80 70 60. 

Freshwater flooding 

The deposition of contaminated sediments, spoils or wastes by flood 

waters is a natural process which can contaminate land. Where 

possible, take steps to prevent potentially polluting materials from 

entering agricultural land: 

– where flooding does occur it may be necessary to control grazing for 

a short period to reduce the exposure of stock to contaminating 

materials; 

– in the medium term, an investigation into the extent and type of 

contamination should be carried out; 


– appropriate action to deal with the contaminant may include 

cultivation of the land to dilute the contaminant or, if feasible, the 

complete removal of the contaminant if it is potentially harmful; 

– deposition of silt can seal the soil surface leading to ponding of 

surface water and reduced soil aeration. Cultivation or removal of the 

sediments can cure this problem. 

Seawater flooding 

Flooding of coastal areas can increase sodium and chloride levels in the 

soil. This can cause soil structural problems and inhibit plant growth: 

– in the event of seawater flooding, dig surface channels to remove the 

water as quickly as possible from low-lying areas; 

– if the area is within an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), then 

prior permission must be granted from the Environment and Heritage 

Service, DOE, before remedial action is taken; 

– on poorly drained soils, the leaching process will take 2 to 3 winters 

to remove all the excess chloride. Field drainage systems will assist 

the natural recovery of soils; 

– where the chloride concentration in the top 20cm of soil exceeds 

1,000 milligrams/litre, tolerant plant species such as ryegrass or 

barley can be grown. 

– the main long-term problem with salt water flooding is the adverse 

effect of sodium on soil structure and ease of cultivation. Soils with 

high silt and/or clay contents are most at risk from structural 

deterioration. Apply gypsum (calcium sulphate) to cultivated soils 

susceptible to structural deterioration at 5 tonnes/hectare 

(2 tonnes/acre) as soon as possible after the soil has dried out. 

Gypsum is most effective if it is left on the soil surface and not 

ploughed down; 

– soils underlying grassland only justify gypsum treatment if the pH is 

neutral or acidic and the soils are poorly structured. Peaty and 

coarse sandy soils do not normally justify treatment; 

– careful cultivation during dry conditions and avoiding spring sown 

crops are essential to restore land which has been flooded. Apply 

adequate fertiliser to allow good crop growth. 


3 

Preventing 


37

Appendix 1 

38 

APPENDIX I 

PREVENTING POLLUTION ON THE FARM 

USEFUL CONTACTS 

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) 

Further information can be obtained from Countryside Management staff 

at the following DARD offices: 

Kilpatrick House 

38 / 54 High Street 

BALLYMENA BT43 6DT 

Tel: (028) 2566 2800 

Fax: (028) 2566 2838 

2 Newry Road 

ARMAGH BT60 1EN 

Tel: (028) 3751 5650 

Fax: (028) 3751 5661 

2b Portaferry Road 

NEWTOWNARDS 

BT23 3NT 

Tel: (028) 9181 3570 

Fax: (028) 9182 2106 

Annexe D 

Dundonald House 

Upper Newtownards Road 

BELFAST BT4 3SB 

Tel: (028) 9052 0922 

Fax: (028) 9052 0924 


31 Station Road 

MAGHERAFELT 

BT45 5DN 

Tel: (028) 7930 2066 

Fax: (028) 7930 2067 

Sperrin House 

Sedan Avenue 

OMAGH BT79 7AQ 

Tel: (028) 8225 1020 

Fax: (028) 8225 3500 

Inishkeen House 

Killyhevlin 

ENNISKILLEN BT74 4EJ 

Tel: (028) 6632 5004 

Fax: (028) 6634 3000 

Good Farming Practice Team 

Old Farm Buildings 

Loughry College 

COOKSTOWN BT80 9AA 

Tel: (028) 8676 8272 

Fax: (028) 8676 1043

OTHER CONTACTS WITHIN DARD 

DARD Headquarters 


BELFAST 

BT4 3SB 

Tel: (028) 9052 0100 

Fax: (028) 9052 3127 

Internet: www.dardni.gov.uk 

Greenmount College 

22 Greenmount Road 

ANTRIM 

BT41 4PU 

Tel: (028) 9442 6666 

Fax: (028) 9442 6606 

Internet: www.greenmount.ac.uk 

Enniskillen College 

Levaghy Road 

ENNISKILLEN 

Co Fermanagh 

BT74 4GF 

Tel: (028) 6634 4800 

Fax: (028) 6634 4888 

Internet: 

www.enniskillencollege.ac.uk 

Forest Service 

Customer Services 

Room 37 

Dundonald House, 



Tel: (028) 9052 4480 

Fax: (028) 9052 4570 

Veterinary Service 

Room 716 




Tel: (028) 9052 4556 

Fax: (028) 9052 5012 

Internet: www.dardni.gov.uk 

DARD Crops Development 

Advisers 

Greenmount College 

22 Greenmount Road 

ANTRIM 

BT41 4PU 

Tel: (028) 9442 6742 

or (028) 9442 6766 

Fax: (028) 9442 6777 

4-6 Killane Road 

LIMAVADY 

BT49 0DN 

Tel: (028) 7772 1823 

Fax: (028) 7776 8075 

Rathkeltair House 

Market Street 

DOWNPATRICK 

BT30 6LZ 

Tel: (028) 4461 8075 

Fax: (028) 4461 8226 

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS 

Department of the Environment 

Environment and Heritage Service 

Calvert House 

23 Castle Place 

Belfast BT1 1FY 

Tel: (028) 9025 4754 

Fax: (028) 9025 4700 

Groundwater Authorisations 

(028) 9025 4824 

Internet: www.ehsni.gov.uk 

Health and Safety Executive for 

Northern Ireland 

83 Ladas Drive 

BELFAST BT6 9FR 

Tel: (028) 9025 1333 

Fax: (028) 9023 5383 

www.hseni.gov.uk 


Appendix 1 

39

Appendix 2 

40 

APPENDIX 2 

AIR AND SOIL LEGISLATION 

The Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 

This legislation aims to prevent air pollution and thus makes it an 

offence to cause or permit the emission of dark smoke from chimneys 

or trade premises, including farms. This legislation is enforced by District 

Councils. 

Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 

Anyone who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, lights a fire 

within 15m of the centre of a road, which causes injury or interrupts or 

endangers a road user, is guilty of an offence under this legislation. 

The Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878 

Under this legislation local councils have a responsibility to monitor their 

areas for odour nuisance and can investigate complaints from the 

public. Enforcement action may be taken. Further details are available 

from Council Environmental Health Departments. 

Agricultural Land (Removal of Surface Soil) Act, 1953 

This legislation requires planning permission to be obtained for the 

stripping or removal of topsoil. Contact DOE Planning Service, Divisional 

Offices for details. 

The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1990 

These Regulations implement Council Directive 86/278/EEC on the 

protection of the environment, and in particular soil, when sewage 

sludge is used in agriculture. They prohibit the use of sludge from 

sewage treatment plants from being used in agriculture unless specified 

requirements are fulfilled, such as regular testing of the sludge and the 

soil to avoid a build up af nutrients and heavy metals. Enforcement of 

this legislation is by the Environment and Heritage Service, DOE. 


New Legislation 

The Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (Northern Ireland) 

2003 

This legislation, which is enforced by the DOE, requires that intensive pig 

and poultry installations above a specified size have a permit to operate. 

Such installations are required to use 'Best Available Techniques' to 

prevent pollution. 


Appendix 2 

41

Appendix 3 

42 

APPENDIX 3 

The Beaufort wind scale 

FORCE WIND SPEED DESCRIPTION WIND SPEED INDICATORS 

MPH KNOTS KPH 

0

The Code of Good Agricultural Practice (‘the Code’) for the 

Prevention of Pollution of Air and Soil is a practical guide for 

farmers, growers, contractors and others involved in agricultural 

activities. 

The Code covers the main agricultural activities that can give 

rise to pollution of air and soil. It describes some of the 

management practices that can be adopted to minimise the risk 

of causing pollution. 

Failure to comply with this Code does not give rise to criminal or 

civil liability but it may be taken into account in any legal 

proceedings involving a pollution incident. Compliance with the 

Code is therefore desirable and recommended. It should be 

noted that in the event of pollution occurring, compliance with 

the Code is not a statutory defence. 

Under EU Regulations farmers in receipt of LFA Compensatory 

Allowances or agri-environment scheme payments i.e. 

Countryside Management, Environmentally Sensitive Area and 

Organic Farming Schemes, must comply with 'Good Farming 

Practice' in order to receive funding for these schemes. One of 

the requirements of Good Farming Practice is that farmers must 

retain a copy of this Code. 

ISBN 1 85527 576 7 

Design by DARD Media Services 02.03.116

Code of good agricultural practice for the prevention

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