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Better management would significantly reduce the number of water pollution events on Scottish farms.
This is the main finding of the newly published Scottish Agricultural Pollution Group (SAPG) Pollution Review. The Review found that in 2002, 89 per cent of the 308 substantiated water pollution events on Scottish farms were the result of poor management, the highest percentage ever recorded by the group.
“2002 was certainly a very wet year. While this should not provide an excuse for river pollution to occur, poor weather can increase pollution risks on farms", said Group Chairman Allan Virtue. "The fact that so many pollution incidents could be avoided by farmers adhering to simple, common sense good practice needs to be reinforced. Farmers should adapt their farm storage systems and management practices to take better account of changing weather patterns and seek advice on how to improve management practices, if necessary."
The Review highlights some of the key issues that the Group and its partner organisations have been involved in over the past few months. Featured articles in the Review include:
- The Role of Farming in Soil Protection;
- Promoting “The Voluntary Initiative” in Scotland;
- Woodchip Corrals;
- New Controls on Agricultural Wastes; and
- Bathing Water Pilot Projects
Allan Virtue continued: “Much is being done to encourage farmers to protect and enhance the environment, and the Group is pleased to be able to play its part in this process. With the imminent reform of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the ongoing introduction of new legislation and a range of other national policy initiatives relating to farming and the environment, it is imperative that all stakeholders work together to deliver consistent, workable messages. Fostering shared goals between the industry and environmental interests will be vital if a sustainable future for farming is to be achieved and issues, such as diffuse pollution, successfully addressed.”
Copies of the Group's 16th Pollution Review can be obtained free of charge from the offices of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC), the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) and the National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland. It is also available on SEPA’s web-site: www.sepa.org.uk
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. The Scottish Agricultural Pollution Group (SAPG) comprises representatives from SEPA, SAC, SEERAD and NFU Scotland. The Group’s remit is to:
- encourage sustainable farming practices consistent with conserving soil and minimising nutrient and pesticide loss;
- promote an improved understanding of diffuse agricultural pollution;
- promote awareness of conservation of soil, minimisation of nutrient and agrochemical loss, reduced waste production and emissions to atmosphere;
- exchange information and develop guidance for the agricultural industry;
- compile records of pollution events and conduct surveys when appropriate;
- provide recommendations to the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) and other relevant bodies on research needs for agricultural pollution and draft legislation; and
- publish an Annual Pollution Review highlighting topical items on agriculture related pollution and to participate in preparing the Scottish Executive Code of Good Practice for the Prevention of Environmental Pollution From Agricultural Activity (the PEPFAA Code) and other relevant publications.
Contact
Joanna Gardiner, 01355 574226
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