DOs Comply with the Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (Scotland) Regulations 2001. - Notify SEPA before bringing into use any new, substantially enlarged or substantially reconstructed silo and silage effluent storage facility.
- Ensure the base of the silo, effluent tank and drains are impermeable. In addition, they, and any silo walls, should be resistant to attack from silage effluent.
- Properly maintain all parts of the silo system such that it will meet a 20 year design life.
- Ensure the minimum effluent tank capacity requirements are provided. Consult SEPA on the size of tank required.
- Ensure that a design loading notice is placed on the wall of any concrete silo.
Make your farm workers, and any contractors employed by you, aware of the design loadings for walled silos prior to filling the silo. | DON'Ts Site a silo or any part of the effluent collection system within 10m of a watercourse, or surface water and field drains. Store baled silage within 10m of any inland or coastal waters or remove the wrapping of any bales within 10m from any inland or coastal waters. Allow silage effluent to enter a watercourse or ground water as this is an offence in terms of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (as amended). Allow effluent tanks to overflow, or ever use a by-pass, to divert run-off from a silo. Use a soakaway to dispose of silage effluent. Neglect maintenance and inspection of silos as pollution does not have to occur for a notice to be served by SEPA. Continue to use silage-making facilities which present a significant pollution risk. Make silage in free-standing field heap (i.e. without an impermeable base or an effluent containment system). |
Ensure that effluent tanks, channels, silo floors, walls and wall floor joints are inspected annually and any necessary repairs carried out well in advance of the start of silage making. Try, if possible, to wilt the crop that is to be ensiled so as to reduce effluent production to a minimum. Keep all effluent collection channels and drains clear of blockages. Check effluent tank levels on a frequent basis when effluent is being produced and regularly throughout the year, and empty as necessary. Regularly check watercourses to ensure that they are not polluted throughout the year. If any signs of pollution become evident, immediate action should be taken to stop any discharge and SEPA should be contacted immediately. Have a contingency plan to deal with structural failures and effluent escapes. Dilute silage effluent with a minimum of one-to-one (1:1) water if spreading on grassland to avoid scorching. Avoid rainwater entering effluent collection systems. Remember that silage effluent can be a valuable feedstuff or fertiliser. Think of it as a potential resource. | Underestimate the quantity of effluent produced from wet grass silage. Allow contaminated silo run-off outwith the main silage making season to escape into a watercourse. Collect it _ it is very polluting. Add silage effluent to slurry in confined spaces or in buildings because this will produce lethal gases very quickly. Apply silage effluent on sites where there is a danger of direct discharge into field drains (e.g. on cracked soils or recently drained or subsoiled fields). Apply silage effluent within 10m of a watercourse and at least 50m of a drinking water supply. Apply silage effluent to steeply sloping fields, when the soil is wet or waterlogged, there is a flooding risk or when heavy rainfall is forecast. Apply more than 50m3/ha of diluted silage effluent to land. |