Beneficiaries of organic conversion or maintenance under Rural Development Contract's Rural Priorities must comply with these additional environmental standards as advised in the UK Compendium of Organic Standards.
1.1 Organic production systems are designed to produce optimum quantities of food of good nutritional quality by using management practices which aim to avoid the use of agro-chemical inputs and which minimise damage to the environment and wildlife.
1.2 These systems entail the adoption of management practices which underpin and support the principles and aims of organic production. The principles include:
i) working with natural systems rather than seeking to dominate them
ii) the encouragement of biological cycles involving micro-organisms, soil flora and fauna, plants and animals
iii) the maintenance or development of valuable existing landscape features and adequate habitats for the production of wildlife with particular regard to endangered species
iv) careful attention to animal welfare considerations
v) the avoidance of pollution
vi) consideration for the wider social and ecological impact of the farming system.
1.3 When applied these principles result in production practices whose key characteristics are:
i) the adoption of sound rotations
ii) the extensive and rational use of animal manure and vegetable wastes
iii) the use of appropriate inputs
iv) appropriate cultivation, weed and pest control techniques
v) the observance of conservation principles.
1.4 Concern for the environment should manifest itself in willingness to consult appropriate conservation bodies and in high standards of conservation management throughout the organic holding.
1.5 The specific practices needed to respect the conservation principles of organic production will depend upon the individual circumstances on each farm. However, the following principles should be followed where applicable:
i) Natural features such as streams, ponds, wetlands, heathland, and species-rich grassland should be retained as far as possible
ii) Grazing management of natural (or semi-natural) habitats such as grassland, heath, moorland, heather and bog and rushy upland, should aim to prevent poaching of the soil and over grazing. Localised heavy stocking particularly in the nesting season should be avoided
iii) Hedges and walls should be retained and managed using traditional methods and materials as far as possible
iv) In hedge and ditch maintenance the nesting season and wildlife requirements for winter feeding or shelter should be taken into account. Hedge trimming and ditch cleaning should generally not take place between 1st March and 31st August. Where practicable, the maintenance of hedges should result in hedges at diverse stages of growth
v) If it is considered that there are reasonable grounds for alteration to hedges or to field boundaries these should first be discussed with a Conservation Advisor. If alteration does prove to be necessary, consideration should be given to the need to for compensatory environmental work
vi) The retention and management of trees in accordance with local custom and woodland practice is essential. Where re-planting is to take place, indigenous varieties of trees and shrubs should be given preference. Where practicable, natural re-generation and coppicing of appropriate species should be practised
vii) Clear felling should be restricted so as to retain a diversity of age classes and habitat within the woodland areas of the holding
viii) Care should be taken in the spreading of manures and slurry. The application of manure within 10 metres of ditches and watercourses and within 50 metres of wells and bore holes should be avoided. The spreading of manure or slurry on frozen ground or on saturated ground should be avoided, so as to prevent excessive run-off
iv) The land management should seek to preserve features of archaeological or historical value or interest avoiding, for example, the levelling of ridge and furrow, and the cultivation of monuments or earth works
x) New buildings should be designed and located to have minimum impact on the landscape
xi) Existing rights of access should be maintained.