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Environment

There are 5 Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) relating to environmental protection:

No.1. The conservation of wild birds:

  • Must not kill, injure, capture or keep any wild bird without a licence in authorised circumstances
  • Must not destroy, damage, remove or keep their nests or eggs or disturb wild birds while nesting unless you have a licence to do so
  • Must adhere to the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) Management agreement for Natura 2000 or other protected sites

No.2. The conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna:

  • Must not pick, cut, collect, destroy or dig up protected plants
  • Must not disturb, kill or injure protected animals, destroy or obstruct their breeding places or places of shelter, for example. bats or otters
  • Must not introduce invasive non-native species into the wild, for example. American mink and giant hogweed
  • Must adhere to the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) Management agreement for Natura 2000 or other protected sites

No.3. The protection of groundwater against pollution:

  • Pesticides and spent sheep dip are classified as dangerous substances
  • Authorisation for disposal to land is required
  • Sheep dip baths must be sited, maintained and operated properly
  • Records of disposal must be maintained

No.4. The protection of the environment when sewage sludge is used in agriculture:

The use of sewage sludge should be monitored and controlled to preserve crop yields and minimise health risks. Factors to consider include:
  • Suitability of soil (must have pH greater than five)
  • Applied to crop requirement
  • Restrictions on land use and crops
  • Methods of application, injection or incorporation
  • Record keeping

No.5. The protection of water against nitrate pollution:

Farmers must comply with the Nitrates Directive Action Programme Measures and records maintained as required in the Nitrates Directive Action Programme.
Key points:

  • Slurry storage requirements:

    22 weeks for cattle and sheep farms
    26 weeks for pig and poultry farms

  • Slurry spreading closed period:

    15 October to 31 January

  • Stocking rate restriction:

    Stay below 170 KG Livestock manure N/ha

  • Controls on Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) Chemical fertiliser

    Limits for N on grassland, N to crop requirements for crops
    P can only be used if soil test shows a crop requirement
More information on the Nitrates Directive Action Programme is available within this site