ASERA
ASSOCIATION OF SEVERN ESTUARY RELEVANT AUTHORITIES
1. Relevant authority : Environment Agency
2. Activity &/or sub-activity : Agricultural run-off
2.1 Why? (Why is this activity carried out? (if applicable) i.e. maintenance dredging is required to provide safe
navigation. Pipeline maintenance is required to ensure safe containment of substances.)
Agricultural run-off, whether it is point source or diffuse, is the end result of certain farming activities,
of which the Agency partly regulate. Agricultural run-off may include leakage and disposal of silage
effluent, slurry & sheep dip/diffuse source run-off from intensively farmed areas, and sludge spread
on land.
2.2 Location (Describe the area used for the activity. Please provide annotated maps, co-ordinates, postcodes etc so
that this information can be plotted into a GIS)
Either farmland directly surrounding the estuary, or farmland that runs off into a watercourse or ditch,
which is connected to the estuary.
2.3 Frequency (Describe when/how often the activity occurs.)
Throughout the year. The intensity of agricultural run-off may increase during and after heavy rainfall.
2.4 How (Describe how the activity is carried out (ie equipment used, number/type of people involved) and the
intensity (high, medium, low).
This would depend on the farming method and source of run-off
3. Management
3.1 General (Brief description of your current management.)
Agricultural run-off is partly regulated via a Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Programme.
Catchment Sensitive Farming is land management that helps to tackle agricultural pollution. There are
a number of approaches to ensuring that these practices are adopted: advice, scheme and regulation,
and these are all managed through the Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme.
The England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI) is a joint venture between
the Environment Agency and Natural England funded by DEFRA and working in 50 priority
catchments. It delivers practical solutions and targeted advice to enable farmers and land managers to
take action to protect water bodies and the wider environment.
Full details on the ECSFDI, including information on the Capital Grants Scheme, a full list of priority
catchments and Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer (CSFO) contacts, can be found on DEFRA's
website www.DEFRA.gov.uk
As part of the ECSFDI, activities such as workshops, seminars and farm demonstrations will be
taking place across England. For details visit Natural England's website www.naturalengland.org.uk
Initially, customers should be directed to their CSFO and each catchment has a CSFO. They are
responsible for the individual catchment. CSFOs are Agency and Natural England employees.
3.2 Management objectives (Why are you managing this activity - if different to 2.1 above (please identify if no
management)?
To take action to protect water bodies and the wider environment.
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ASSOCIATION OF SEVERN ESTUARY RELEVANT AUTHORITIES
3.3 Your role (Describe your role in relation to the activity (e.g. statutory duty, control due to land ownership, part of
normal working operations etc)
Catchment Sensitive Farming Officers deliver practical solutions and targeted advice to enable farmers
and land managers to take action to protect water bodies and the wider environment.
3.4 Existing regulation (Describe any existing regulation for the activity.)
SSAFO Regulations
Silage and Slurry storage for agricultural purposes is subject to the Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry
and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations, 1991 (sometimes called the 'SSAFO' Regulations).
Every farmer has to comply with the SSAFO regulations if they build a new store or substantially alter
one built before 1 September 1991.
Farmers must notify the Agency in writing before they use the new or substantially altered stores. In
England and Wales farmers are required to give us 14 days notice and notify the Agency in writing
or using a form which can be downloaded from our website.
Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ)
Nitrate Vulnerable Zones identify land that drains into watercourses/bodies that are affected by
nitrate pollution. Nitrate pollution is of concern because it has to be removed before water can be
supplied to consumers and it can cause eutrophication. Over 60% of nitrate enters water from
agricultural land. Nitrates are spread on agricultural land as fertiliser. Manures and man-made
fertilisers all contain nitrates.
The designation of NVZs is one of the ways England is implementing the Nitrates Directive.
Recently increased, around 68% of England is now in an NVZ.
Farmers with land in an NVZ have to follow the NVZ Action Programme Rules. These rules limit
when and how much nitrate can be applied to the land.
3.4.1 Nature Conservation (Does regulation of the activity already provide for the integration of nature
conservation interests? (Included to provide details of what measures already exist to incorporate safeguards for
conservation into current working practices).
Regulating agricultural activities ensures that water bodies and the wider environment afford better
protection.
3.5 Other management
3.5.1 Is your organisation developing any plans/initiatives/codes of conduct in relation to the
activity? (please give details & web site reference if available).
Best Farming Practice Guide
The Agency has developed a Best Farming Practice guide, which is a free booklet for farmers that
features over 250 tips on how to profit from doing the right thing environmentally. Published by the
Agency, Best Farming Practices explains how wise use of resources such as soil, nutrients, water and
energy can help farmers to cut costs while maintaining or improving productivity.
If a customer would like to order a copy of Best Farming Practice it is available from our publication
catalogue via our website, the publication code is GEHO0908BOMP-E-P.
We have published this booklet because we recognise the huge role that farmers play in shaping the
countryside and the tough business environment they are operating in. We would much rather help
farmers to profit from a good environment than see them penalised for bad practice.
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Thinksoils Manual
A newly published Environment Agency thinksoils manual is designed to help farmers, land managers
and farm advisers recognise problems with erosion and runoff from agricultural land. This will help
reduce problems of soil related water pollution and flooding. The manual has been successfully
piloted with farmers and advisors since 2006. Accompanying the thinksoils manual is a pocket-sized,
waterproof quick guide to soil assessment.
The manual is available in printed format for £8.50 and you can purchase a copy from our publication
catalogue (Product Code: GEHO1007BNFF-E-P) via our website. There is no free pdf version
available.
The manual is intended to support a variety of advice and training initiatives.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
3.5.2 Are you aware of any other plans/initiatives in relation to the management of the
activity (please give web site reference if available)

The European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provides financial support for
farmers and controls the European Union's agricultural markets. DEFRA are the lead for the
Common Agricultural Policy in the UK. Please visit DEFRA's website www.DEFRA.gov.uk
or call their helpline on 08459 33 55 77

The Welsh Assembly Government runs an agri-environment scheme in Wales. Welsh
farmers can receive payment in return for protecting areas and features of environmental
importance on their land. Further information is available on the Welsh Assembly
Government (WAG) countryside website: www.countryside.wales.gov.uk

The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE)

Environmental Stewardship is a scheme of grants designed to reward farmers and land
managers who deliver effective environmental management.
3.5.3 Outline any other known management of the activity (e.g. recreational clubs, voluntary groups).
Good Agricultural Environmental condition (GAEC) standards apply to soil management and
protection and to the maintenance of habitats and landscape features
4. Current information
4.1 Monitoring/research (Are you undertaking any current monitoring/research of the activity?)
The Agency often carry out frequent water quality checks of many rivers and streams around the
estuary, and these checks generally include measuring the amount of nitrates in the water body.
4.2 Why is it carried out?
Water quality sampling is carried out in accordance with the Water Framework Directive and to
monitor general water quality to cover any impacts from Agency permitted discharge consents.
4.3 Please list any research/monitoring reports and their format (e.g. paper, GIS, please give web site
reference if available)
4.4 Are you aware of anyone else who carries out monitoring/research of the activity?
Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales and possibly university research students.
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