This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
New standards to improve water environment
27/10/2006
Proposals for new minimum standards to control the impact of pollution on the water environment were issued for consultation today.
The consultation proposes binding rules on land managers which will apply to the use of fertilisers, keeping of livestock, land cultivation, construction of roads and tracks and the handling of pesticides.
Environment Minister Ross Finnie said:
"Protecting our water environment is key to safeguarding Scotland's natural resources.
"Building on our strategy to reduce diffuse pollution from rural land use, we have worked with a range of partners to minimise the threat to our environment.
"We have based the new system largely on existing codes of good practice drawn up in conjunction with industry. Many farmers and other land managers already work with the environment in mind and take good care to minimise any possible adverse effects. The proposed rules do not require substantial changes and will make good practice a model to follow."
The rules will be applicable to all activities associated with rural and recreational land use and not just farming and forestry
The rules will take the form of General Binding Rules, which will ensure regulation without the need for registration or licensing, thus minimising the regulatory burden on operators.
The consultation is at www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations and will run until January 19, 2007.