« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
ANNEX A Example: National General Binding Rules
This Table gives examples of possible General Binding Rules related to particular rural land use activities that could be of national application. They are presented with an indication of where they have developed from, which is mostly guidance on good farming practice. These activities were also identified as areas relevant to tackling diffuse pollution in the Custodians of Change report.
Where the activity controlled by a GBR is also carried out by a sector other than farming then the appropriate rules of that GBR will apply. A full set of National GBRs will be developed in conjunction with stakeholders and consulted upon at a later date.
Activity | Rules |
|---|
Nutrient and manure management | a) Prior to spreading manure and slurry, a Risk Assessment for Manure and Slurry ( RAMS) must be produced to identify no spread zones and spreading risks and acted upon accordingly. (4 Point Plan) b) A Fertiliser Management Plan must be prepared, implemented. and be available for inspection. (where a farm uses both organic and inorganic manures, the Plan may cover both.) ( PEPFAA Code section 4) c) A minimum 10 metre no spread zone from the top of the bank of any watercourse or 50 metres around wells, springs or boreholes (used for drinking water supply or dairy units) must be maintained when slurry or organic manure is being spread. ( PEPFAA Code section 4) |
|---|
Land Management | a) Livestock must only be allowed access to watercourse crossings on improved land where there is no alternative crossing and in such a way as not to cause contamination of the watercourse. Watercourses in such areas must not be used as a direct means of watering livestock. Livestock must not be allowed to congregate in or on the edge of a watercourse where they are being grazed on improved land. ( PEPFAA Code section 2) b) All cropped land over the following winter must, where conditions after harvest allow, have either: crop cover, grass cover, stubble cover, ploughed or a roughly cultivated surface. Fine seed beds must only be created very close to sowing. ( GAEC Measure 1) c) Cultivation must not be carried out if water is standing on the surface or the ground is saturated. ( GAEC Measure 9) |
|---|
Pesticides, Sheep Dip and Veterinary Medicines Handling and Use | a) Pesticides must not be applied within 50 metres of a spring well or borehole used for water supply. ( PEPFAA Code section 2) b) The mixing of pesticides must take place in an area where spillage will not enter a drainage system, watercourse or drainage ditch. ( PEPFAA Code section 9) c) Any staff involved with the use of pesticides must be properly trained and have Certificates of Competence/ NRoSO registration. ( PEPFAA Code section 2) d) Sheep dippers must not be sited within 10 metres of a watercourse or within 50 metres of a well, spring or borehole. ( PEPFAA Code section 8) e) Sheep dippers must not be filled by direct abstraction from, or discharge water to, a watercourse. (Sheep dipping Code of Practice) f) Sheep must be allowed to drip for 10 minutes in a drip pen and must not be allowed access to a watercourse within 30 minutes after dipping. ( PEPFAA Code section 8) |
|---|
Surface Water Run-off | a) Rain run off from roof ventilated poultry buildings must not be allowed to discharge directly to a watercourse. Run off should be stored and spread with other manure/slurry or fed through a constructed wetland system. ( PEPFAA Code section 2) b) Track run off should be diverted to buffer strips or vegetated areas and away from watercourses and ditches. ( PEPFAA Code section 2) c) Livestock feeders must be positioned to avoid run off from poached areas entering watercourses or open ditches. ( PEPFAA Code section 2) |
|---|
« Previous | Contents | Next »