MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SBF AGRICULTURE WORKING
GROUP HELD ON TUESDAY 21 MAY 2002
The Group met at the Colliston Inn, Colliston, by Arbroath. The following attended:
John Henderson, SEERAD - Ag Staff (Chairman)
Sarah Hocknell, SEERAD – CANH
George Lawrie, NFUS
Keith Arbuthnott, NFUS
Mike Williams, FWAG
Chris McDonald, SAC
Fiona Newcombe, Scottish Environment LINK
John Sheldon, COSLA
Hamish Trench, RICS
Joanna Drewitt, SEERAD - EAU
Mr Donald Bailey, SEERAD – Ag Staff (Secretary)
1.
Welcome
The Chairman welcomed Hamish Trench (RICS) and Sarah Hocknell who was
attending in place of Jane Dalgleish.
2.
Apologies
Apologies were received from Jane Dalgleish (SEERAD–CANH), Daniel Gotts
(SNH), Becky Shaw (SCF), Jonathan Hall (SLF), Sandy Renfrew (Crofter’s
Commission), Ian McCall (GCT) and Peter Harrison (Forestry Commission).
3.
Feedback from morning visit to Windyhills Farm (Arbroath) looking at
intensive cropping (soft fruit and vegetables) and biodiversity
Focussing upon strawberry crops being grown in a protected environment, firstly
totally enclosed in polythene tunnels and then in Spanish tunnels, there was some
discussion about pest, disease and weed control.
It was explained that where the strawberries are protected from the elements and the
supply of water (acidic rather than alkaline) and nutrients is carefully controlled, the
stress suffered by the plants is minimised and the incidence of disease such as
botrytis and mildew is significantly reduced. With the risk of disease lowered, the
amount of chemical fungicide required for the crop is significantly reduced. Also, the
strict control in the quantity of nutrients supplied means that there is a reduced risk of
surface and ground-water pollution.
The main strawberry crop pests are aphids and spider mites. It has been observed that
aphids are becoming increasingly resistant to chemical aphicides. Increasingly,
therefore, biological control is employed on Windyhills: a parasitic wasp has been
introduced to deal with aphids and predatory mites introduced to control the spider
mite. There is anecdotal evidence that populations of natural predators, e.g. hoverfly
and ladybird, increase where such habitats as ‘wild’ field margins or water margins
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are established around field boundaries. Weeds in the tunnels are suppressed by using
plastic as a mulch or with limited use of a herbicide.
Trees (although mainly non-native species) have been planted in less productive areas
to create woodland strips which support a range of invertebrates, small mammals and
birds such as Partidge, Woodcock, Song thrush, Sparrow hawk and Pheasant. These
woodland strips, together with grass margins and dykes, have created a network of
wildlife corridors - a clear benefit to biodiversity.
A rotation has been established comprising three years under strawberries followed
by winter wheat, seed potatoes, winter wheat, brussel sprouts and barley. It was
noted that vegetable waste from the sprouts crop is used to build up organic matter in
the soil.
Polythene is used to control the strawberry flowering and therefore fruiting dates.
Clean polythene is re-cycled while the ‘dirty’ material is currently disposed of in a
landfill site.
4.
Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
5.
General matters arising from the minutes – progress with action points
5.1
Biodiversity leaflet no. 4 – ‘Biodiversity on Intensive Grassland’ –
report from sub-group.
Donald Bailey reported that the leaflets had been printed and were available for
distribution. Donald advised members to send any requests for copies of the
leaflet to him. John Henderson thanked Mike Williams and members of the subgroup for creating this the 4th Biodiversity leaflet.
It was noted that the 3rd leaflet, ‘Biodiversity on Croft land’, is in relatively short
supply and a re-print may need to be considered.
5.2
Financial statement – funding for AWG publications.
Chris McDonald reported that the balance in the account, following production of
the IACS Year Calendar and the 4th Biodiversity leaflet, now stood at £2,095.
Chris agreed that this amount should cover costs for the 5th and final Biodiversity
leaflet. Chris undertook to have a financial statement prepared for presentation at
the next AWG meeting.
(Action: Chris McDonald)
5.3
An information note on environmentally-friendly practices for machinery
contractors – report from sub-group
George Lawrie reported that an A4-size information note on environmentallyfriendly practices is being drafted. The information note will raise awareness of
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cross-compliance issues, the PEPFAA Code and the Standard of Good Farming
Practice. Members agreed that the SEERAD leaflet on the safe use and disposal of
sheep dip be used as a model. John Henderson reminded members that the
purpose of the leaflet will be to explain why particular environmentally-friendly
practices, for example bird-friendly mowing of hay or silage, are required under
the various regulations and not just the agri-environment schemes. George
Lawrie undertook to circulate the draft leaflet around members for comment; any
feedback to be with George by close of play on 4 June 2002. A final draft of the
leaflet will be prepared for members’ consideration at the next AWG meeting on
23 July 2002. Distribution was discussed: an insert in Machinery Rings
newsletters is a possibility, perhaps as a laminated sheet. George Lawrie
undertook to investigate this option, including obtaining an estimate of the cost of
producing an A4 laminated sheet. It was suggested that this information note
should be targeted at a wider audience than just machinery contractors and that the
revised PEPFAA Code might be a useful vehicle for distributing the note to that
wider audience. Joanna Drewitt pointed out that, if to be an insert in the PEPFAA
Code, the note’s heading will need to make clear what its purpose is.
(Action: George Lawrie, Chris McDonald & Daniel Gotts)
5.4
Piloting the provision of ‘information chests’ to guesthouses
Donald Bailey informed members that Daniel Gotts is still seeking to obtain an
example of an ‘information chest’. Hamish Trench suggested that this initiative
could be piloted in the Loch Lomond National Park. Hamish undertook to explore
the idea and report back at the next AWG meeting.
(Action: Daniel Gotts & Hamish Trench)
5.5
Genetic biodiversity project – draft final report
Joanna Drewitt displayed the draft MLURI report and all agreed that this has
been a very worthwhile project. Joanna explained that this scoping report
contains a number of recommendations within the following areas: further
work, research requirements, practical developments and opportunities for
traditional/rare breed and crop promotion. There was now a need to decide
what should be followed up. Joanna undertook to highlight issues for
discussion at the next AWG meeting. Once finalised and ‘signed off’ by the
steering group, the Report will be published and made available to the wider
public. John Sheldon remarked that the report highlights what little is known
about this subject.
(Action: Joanna Drewitt and members of Sub-group)
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5.6
SBG IACS Year Calendar 2002/2003
John Henderson informed members that he has received positive feedback
from a number of appreciative recipients. George Lawrie reported that NFUS
considered the key dates particularly useful.
Fiona Newcombe undertook to explore with Duncan Orr-Ewing and Jack
Fleming the possibility of RSPB joining forces with AWG to produce an
IACS Year Calendar for 2003/2004.
(Action: Fiona Newcombe)
All agreed that at least a sample of IACS producers should be asked for
feedback. George Lawrie will pursue the idea of inserting a questionnaire in
the Farming Leader (August/September) and report back at the next meeting.
Fiona Newcombe agreed to ask Becky Shaw if that questionnaire could also
be distributed by SCF. John Henderson/Sarah Hocknell undertook to
approach Hugh Morrison (SBF Business Working Group) about possible
sponsorship from the whisky industry to cover the cost of gathering feedback,
including a prize to encourage returns, as well as possible financial support
for a second calendar.
(Action: George Lawrie, Fiona Newcombe, Becky Shaw, Sarah Hocknell
and John Henderson)
Project to examine the public perception of Environmental Standards –
draft specification.
5.7
Donald Bailey reported that Daniel Gotts was still awaiting comment from
members of the sub-group. If Daniel receives no comments by the middle of
June, he will assume that sub-group members are content with the
specification and proceed with putting the Project out to tender. Fiona
Newcombe volunteered to discuss the draft specification with Becky Shaw
and return comments soonest.
(Action: Daniel Gotts, Fiona Newcombe & Becky Shaw)
Meeting at Scotbeef – introducing an environmental element to quality
assurance schemes operated by Scotbeef.
5.8
Donald Bailey provided details of a meeting he and John Henderson had with
Scotbeef representatives on 17 April 2002 at their request.
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Scotbeef operates its own quality assurance scheme, Beeftrack, and
audits on behalf of Marks and Spencer’s Select Farms Scheme.
Scotbeef is currently updating the Codes of Practice for both schemes
and wishes to include an environmental element within each scheme.
Current cross-compliance provision within agri-environment schemes
and LFASS was described, in particular the Standard of Good
Farming Practice. Introduction of elements of GFP into the quality
assurance schemes codes of practice was advocated. Reference was
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also made to the PEPFAA Code and to RSS and CPS General
Environmental Conditions.
Some background was given to the creation of the AWG, its remit and
the make-up of its membership. Scotbeef was supplied with a copy of
each of the Biodiversity leaflets published to date and it was explained
that each one focuses upon a particular farm type, giving practical
advice on how wildlife on a farm may benefit by the adoption of low
cost/no cost measures.
There was some discussion about the delivery of conservation advice
to farmers and crofters and the funding of that advice. Scotbeef have
obtained advice to date from FWAG on environmental issues and
intend to work closely with FWAG in the future.
Scotbeef representatives explained that the Beeftrack scheme has been
developed with the needs of Scotbeef’s customers, e.g. Sainsbury,
MacDonalds, to the fore. Key elements are currently animal welfare
and non-use of GM feeds. A database of producers is maintained by
Scotbeef which provides details of participation in the two schemes
and audit inspection results.
EMA was discussed. It was explained that EMA was developed in
England and is currently being ‘Scotified’. Once revised, EMA
(Scotland) should prove to be an extremely useful tool for farmers and
crofters in Scotland.
John Henderson added that Scotbeef were to send a draft of their revised
Codes of Practice for comment and pointed out that this will be an
opportunity to influence how these quality assurance scheme are developed.
Mike Williams explained that FWAG are working with Scotbeef to develop a
‘starter pack’, which will deliver practical environmental advice to Scotbeef
producers.
6.
SBF Web-site – AWG Contributions
Sarah Hocknell circulated a paper outlining the development of SBF web
pages to be used to disseminate information about the Forum’s Working
Groups. Sarah explained that the AWG will be able to use these pages to
publicise its work and make its publications available to those with access to
the Internet. Sarah outlined the procedure for developing and updating the
Group’s pages using the Scottish Executive Internet Publishing System
(SEIPS). Donald Bailey agreed to be the AWG’s web co-ordinator. Any new
material or updates for the AWG’s pages is to be submitted to the coordinator for vetting. Once checked and agreed, the material will be passed to
Sarah Hocknell (Biodiversity Project Officer) who will take it through the
SEIPS approval process for publication on the web-site.
Members agreed that minutes of AWG meetings may be published on the
web-site before their formal approval. AWG members will have one week
from issue of draft minutes to request any amendments to these. Any such
request should be sent, preferably by e-mail, to the AWG Secretary.
(All)
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Hyperlinks will be created which will enable users to navigate to information
about AWG-sponsored Projects held on other pages within the SE web-site or
other organisation’s web-sites.
7.
AOB
7.1
Recent RSPB publications: Sea Eagle Project newsletter
Fiona Newcombe circulated copies of the Sea Eagle Project newsletter for
member’s information. There was some discussion about the progress
reported in the newsletter.
7.2
Biodiversity Strategy Land Use Workshop
Sarah Hocknell explained that the SBF has been tasked to produce a draft
Biodiversity Strategy to be launched for consultation in early 2003. The
Strategy Steering Group, set up to take this forward, is agreed that that the
widest audience should be involved in the strategy process and that sectoral
seminars and workshops are seen as the best method of doing this in the given
time. The sectors are: land use, resources, water, business development and
people. A Land Use seminar is being organised for 22nd August 2002. Sarah
circulated notes taken at a recent meeting set up to begin preparations for the
seminar and a first draft Programme for the day.
John Henderson informed the Group that he has sent a letter to Jeff Maxwell
asking if he would be prepared to deliver the Keynote Speech and Summary.
John emphasised that the circulated papers contain only initial suggestions
and invited comments from AWG members.
It was agreed that an organising committee be drawn from the AWG – to
assist Sarah with preparations. The following AWG members were nominated
for this task: Chris McDonald, Becky Shaw, Peter Harrison and Fiona
Newcombe.
John asked members for suggestions for the invitation list – organisations to
be represented. Sarah Hocknell invited members to e-mail her with any
comments or suggestions for the organising committee’s consideration by
close of play on Friday 31 May 2002.
Fiona Newcombe agreed to take the lead in preparing a workshop looking at
“Factors influencing farmers’ and crofters’ decisions to carry out biodiversity
conservation in Scotland”.
John Sheldon recommended that the organising committee consider what
guidelines are given to the Keynote Speaker. Joanna Drewitt suggested that
all speakers be given topics to focus upon. John Henderson asked that the
organising committee advise him on this. The organising committee was
tasked with producing and circulating a programme and invitation list to
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members for final comment and, taking any feedback into account, finalising
that programme and invitation list for presentation at the next AWG meeting
on 23 July 2002.
(Action: Sarah Hocknell, Chris McDonald, Becky Shaw, Peter Harrison
& Fiona Newcombe)
8.
Further meeting dates

23 July 2002 – The group will focus upon the theme – Biodiversity and intensive
cropping. It was agreed that this will be the title of the 5th Biodiversity leaflet and
cover soft fruit and vegetable production and include market gardening. Chris
McDonald agreed to confirm whether or not SAC Auchincruive could be the
venue for this meeting and provide John Henderson with the details as soon as
possible. John Henderson undertook to invite Kathy Peebles from Scotbeef to that
meeting – to give the AWG an update on progress with the ‘Starter packs’.
(Action: Chris McDonald & John Henderson)
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22 October 2002 – a suitable venue will be considered at the next meeting.
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