3 January 2006
Indicator farms show way for environmental improvements
Even farmers who are already keen to improve the environmental aspects
of their land can benefit from applying the Voluntary Initiative’s (VI)
recommended best practice, according to research conducted by the
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG).
On behalf of the VI, FWAG is assessing the environmental performance on ten
“indicator” farms which account for some 6,660 hectares of farmland.
Assessments include water quality, analysis of Crop Protection Management
Plans (CPMB), changes in behaviour since the introduction of the VI and ongoing
monitoring of biodiversity.
Overall, the farmers who participated were “above average performers, active in
environmental management before the VI began”. However, they have found that
implementing the VI has helped them access and deliver agri-environment
schemes and the payments that are attached to them.
Water quality was monitored by the Environment Agency on three farms where
there was a particular risk of pesticides entering water. While low levels of
pesticides were entering water from the chosen farms and others nearby,
biological water quality was classified as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.
CPMPs have challenged all the farms in the indicator sample to change their
behaviour and attitude. Assessments were made under three categories: water,
general crop protection and biodiversity. Water issues scored lowest, but there
were issues across all categories. Most found issues relating to filling and
cleaning sprayers to be a particular challenge.
Biodiversity was assessed using a self-assessment questionnaire that allowed
farmers to grade habitat provision for yellowhammers, bats, beneficial insects
and dragonflies. Yellowhammers were present on all farms. In each case farmers
recognised they could do more to encourage this species with scores ranging
from 150 to 650 out of a potential of 1000 points. This self-assessment will
continue on a twice-yearly basis.
Indicator farms show way for environmental improvements /2…
Other change initiated by the VI included: improved agronomist advice on
environmental issues as a result of BETA training, a high uptake of the National
Register of Sprayer Operator accreditation and high LERAP compliance with all
farms scoring the maximum ten points.
“This first assessment of the indicator farms shows that even when farmers are
doing a pretty good job, there is still scope for improvement,” said VI Manager
Patrick Goldsworthy. “A key aim of the VI is to engender changed thinking and
behaviour on farms, both in terms of how they use pesticides and broader
environmental issues. By continuing to monitor the indicator farms we believe we
will gain a better feel for the environmental impacts of the VI.”
Ends
Notes for editors
Copies of The Voluntary Initiative Indicator Farms: Initial Report Assessing Environmental
Benefits can be downloaded from www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk
The Voluntary Initiative is a programme of measures, agreed by Government, to minimise the
environmental impacts of pesticides. The signatories to the Voluntary Initiative are the National
Farmers Union, NFU Scotland, the Country Land and Business Association, the Ulster Farmers
Union, the Crop Protection Association, the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, the
Agricultural Engineers Association and the Agricultural Industries Confederation.
For further information please contact:
Mr Patrick Goldsworthy, Voluntary Initiative Manager, Crop Protection Association
01733 367 215
07711 416 312
patrick.g@cropprotection.org.uk
Mr Peter Sanguinetti, Chief Executive, Crop Protection Association
01733 367219
07775 780168
peter.s@cropprotection.org.uk
Mr Richard Knights
01568 610601
07815 675737
Andrea Cullis/ Dale Atkinson, NFU Press Office, 020 7331 7289/7387
Hazel Doonan, AIC, 01733 385 242
David Garthwaite, CSL, 01904 462694
Steve Hewitt, NPTC, 02476 857300
Issued by:
Geoff Dodgson, Chamberlain
01733 231133
07710 379561
geoff.dodgson@chamberlain.uk.com