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SOIL AND WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (Rural Priorities)

Article 20(a)(iv)

Measure Code (114)

Rationale for Intervention

Agriculture is the main source of losses of soil to the water environment, accounting for some 88% of soil losses, in Scotland (according to the Screening Tool developed for SEPA). The magnitude of these losses for Scotland is far higher than can be considered sustainable, and improved soil management is required.

The Soil and Water Management Programme, as proposed, would entail a detailed audit of soil properties and management. It would be more than is required under GAEC and SMRs and therefore would result in benefits beyond Cross-Compliance. It will be based on the Farm Soils Plan (2005), drawn up by the Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) for the Scottish Government and other interested organisations. Work is being carried out at present in monitored priority catchment studies designed to quantify the benefits of a soil and water management programme.

Objectives

A soil and water management rogramme, produced as a result of a self audit, will assess the risks to the soils on the farm from erosion, compaction, structural degradation, loss of organic matter and contamination. Management practices and measures designed to address these risks will be identified and implemented within the programme period. The applicant will be expected to identify the improvement that will be made either to water quality or to soil protection as a result of the measure.

Scope and actions

The measure contains two options, which may be used separately or together:

• Option 1: The beneficiary will be required to draw up a soil and water management programme in line with the Farm Soils Plan (2005) published by the Scottish Executive in association with other organisations. The programme will assess the risks to the soils on the farm from erosion, compaction, structural degradation, loss of organic matter and contamination, and it will include measures designed to address these risks. The programme will identify both RDC options and other site specific measures which are not covered by the RDC options.

The programme will deliver benefits over and above those required by GAEC and will thereby facilitate reductions in the losses of nutrients from farm land, in line with the aims of the Nitrates Directive, and achievement of the good water quality targets of the Water Framework Directive.

• Option 2: The measures identified in the programme which are not covered by other RDC options will be carried out over a period of 5 years to protect and enhance soils on the farm or the waters draining from the farm.

Description and justification of the different types of commitments, based on their expected environmental impact in relation to environmental needs and priorities

At EU Level the EU Soil Thematic Strategy has recently been adopted. Under the proposed Soil Framework Directive, Member States will be required to take a systematic approach to identifying and combating soil degradation, and taking precautionary measures and integrating soil protection into other policies. The Commission identified rural development programmes as one of the key vehicles to build in soil protection measures in this regard.

At a Scottish Level, the previous Minister for Environment and Rural Development announced the development of a Scottish Soil Strategy which will aim to increase the awareness of soil protection, and to mainstream soil protection into relevant policy initiatives and measures.

The measure is part of Scotland's commitment to protection of the water environment through the Water Framework Directive ( WFD). It will help to mitigate water pollution, ensure better soil protection and thus contribute to improvements in nature conservation and landscape and amenity.

Baseline Information

Amounts of support

Option 1. Provided that the audit has been carried out and a programme produced to a satisfactory standard and the potential beneficiary submits a valid RDC application:

i) If the audit was prepared by a professional adviser, 50% of the cost up to a maximum payment of €438 will be paid.

ii) If the potential beneficiary carries out the audit rather than employing an adviser, or the farm has already been audited under another scheme, a fixed sum of €219 will be paid in recognition of the time involved and cost of conversion.

Option 2. Funding will be a proportion of the costs up to a maximum €43.80/ha per annum.

Quantified targets for EU common indicators

*As per guidance, the proxy for Gross Value Added is to be profit (revenue minus costs). The baseline value for this result indicator will be established once information on revenue and costs in supported enterprises becomes available.
# Impact indicators will be estimated based on output and result indicators

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