Environmental guidance for your business in Northern Ireland & Scotland
This guidance is for farmers who spread:
In Northern Ireland all farmers must comply with rules under the Nutrient Action Programme.
DAERA: Nutrient Action Programme 2019-2022
In Scotland find out whether you are within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). If you are within an NVZ you will need to follow certain rules, such as limiting the amount of organic and inorganic nitrogen fertiliser you use and keeping records.
Scotland: nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs)
You must not let livestock slurry, silage effluent or manure enter rivers, streams or other watercourses. If you allow polluting effluent to enter surface waters or groundwater you may be committing a pollution offence.
In Scotland you must not apply slurry or organic fertilisers:
You must not apply livestock slurry on frozen land.
From 01 January 2022 updated Regulations come into force, relating to the management of silage and slurry.
The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021
In summary, the updates relating to the management of silage and slurry are:
GBR 18 relates to the storage and application of fertiliser.
GBR 18 has been updated to include 2 new rules -
GBR 29 relates to the making and storage of silage in bulk bags.
The rules now state that bales or bulk bags must not be stored, opened or unwrapped within 10 metres of any surface water or opening into a surface water drain which silage effluent could enter if it were to escape.
GBR 30 relates to the treatment of silage effluent through a constructed farm wetland.
Continues to allow silage effluent to be drained to a constructed farm wetland, however the calendar restriction which previously applied has not been incorporated, and the drainage may take place when the silo has been opened.
GBR 31 relates to the making and storage of silage other than in bales or bulk bags.
The rule provides detailed requirements for silos. Different requirements apply depending on when the silo was constructed. Silos constructed prior to 1 September 1991 are no longer exempt.
GBR 32 provides detailed requirements for slurry storage systems.
Different requirements apply depending on when the slurry storage system was constructed. Slurry storage systems constructed prior to 1 September 1991 are no longer exempt. New rules are included to allow slurry to be stored in suitable slurry bags. The rules relating to the required minimum capacity of the storage have been revised to be consistent with the requirements which apply in nitrate vulnerable zones under the Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2008, based upon the quantity of slurry produced in 22 weeks for housed cattle or 26 weeks for housed pigs.
GBR 34 provides detailed requirements for the storage of liquid digestate.
Liquid digestate storage systems and slurry bags which were constructed or which were granted planning permission before 1 January 2022 have until 1 January 2024 to comply.
You should:
A manure management plan will help you decide when and where to spread your organic manures. It should take into account slope, watercourses, drainage, soil type, crop type and rainfall. The codes of good agricultural practice will help you develop a manure management plan.
In Northern Ireland, see section 3 of the DAERA code of good agricultural practice for water, air and soil.
DAERA: Code of good agricultural practice for the prevention of pollution of water, air and soil
DAERA: The Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Reduction of Ammonia Emissions
DAERA: Agricultural waste - roles and responsibilities
The NIEA has produced a leaflet about the problems caused by ammonia emissions and what can be done to reduce them.
In Scotland, see section 4 of the Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity (PEPFAA) Code and the 4 Point Plan.
Farming and Water Scotland: The 4 Point Plan
Watch our short videos:
How to protect soil and water on a farm
How to prevent diffuse pollution on a farm
The codes of good agricultural practice also provide general advice on how to prevent nitrates and phosphorous leaching from your fields into the water environment.
In Northern Ireland:
Legislation.gov.uk: Nutrient Action Programme Regulations 2019-2022
In Scotland:
Farming and Water Scotland: The 4 Point Plan
Farming and Water Scotland: 'Know the rules' guidance
Agricultural Industries Confederation (UK): Fertiliser publications
SEPA Special Waste Consignment Notes – updated position, The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is now accepting special waste consignment notes (SWCNs) by email only.
DAERA Waste Policy Tracker, The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has published a Waste policy tracker to stay informed of waste policy developments.
View our latest videos & subscribe to our channel.
Free monthly email newsletter with environmental updates for Northern Ireland and Scotland