Cross Compliance and On Farm Dumping of Soil or Hardcore

Building and field work on many farms will often result in the need to dispose of either soil or hardcore.  This material often serves a useful purpose in improving access to a gateway or levelling a small hollow in a field.

Cross Compliance requires that this material is disposed of in a manner, which has little or no negative effect on our countryside.

Cross Compliance requires that all uncultivated land and semi-natural habitats (woodland, scrub, moorland, wetlands and species-rich grassland) are retained and dumping is prohibited in these areas.  Farmers must not undertake new drainage works, ploughing, clearing, levelling, reseeding or cultivations on uncultivated land or semi-natural habitats without prior approval from DARD.  For further information contact DARD Environmental Policy Branch (028 9052 4326).

Cross Compliance permission is not normally required for the disposal of small quantities of soil or hardcore which have been generated on a farm providing it can be disposed of on improved / cultivated farmland and it is incorporated into the field by levelling and reseeding as soon as possible after dumping, for example, stoning around gateways or filling a small hollow in a field.  

However disposal on farm of soil and hardcore which originates from off farm development will generally require the grant of planning permission from DOE Planning Service.   In circumstances where you are unsure about whether or not planning permission is required you should contact DOE Planning Service at Millennium House, 17-25 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7BN for site specific advice (028 9041 6880).

Although not a requirement of Cross Compliance, an Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) Agricultural Waste Exemption may need to be registered.

Disposing of agricultural waste materials on your farm, including soil or hardcore imported from a neighbouring farm.  

Disposing of hardcore / building rubble on your farm when demolishing old buildings on your own farm.

Disposing of soil produced during construction of agricultural buildings on your own farm.  For further information on agricultural waste exemptions contact EHS Land Management Unit (028) 9054 6477.                                             

Further information on Cross Compliance can be obtained in the 2006 Cross-Compliance Verifiable Standards booklet or by contacting your local Countryside Management Branch office.