Surfers call for management of pollution from farms

Sewage pollution is not the only factor that affects the health of the UK's inland and coastal waters and those who use them recreationally. In acknowledgement of this fact, Surfers Against Sewage are broadening their campaign and asking Ministers to develop a specific policy to tackle diffuse pollution from agricultural sources.

The surfers feel that in light of recent calls for a radical overhaul of the UK farming industry, the time is right for the Government to give strong policy direction on how pollution from agricultural sources can be managed and minimised.

With the EC Water Framework Directive looming on the horizon and a need to comply with legislation such as the 1991 Nitrates Directive, there is a clear driver for controlling pollution from sources such as pesticides and fertilisers. On a local level, projects designed to show farmers the economic benefits of implementing best practise are reaping rewards not only for the farmer's pocket, but also for the environment. It is these types of schemes that need to be repeated UK wide.

Vicky Garner, Campaign Manager for SAS said today;

" Pollution from farms not only risks compliance with legislation, it also introduces potentially damaging chemicals and nutrients into the environment, risking the health of water users and indeed the quality of drinking and environmental waters. With new water quality legislation on the horizon, attention is shifting towards the farming community and their role in the water pollution debate. We hope that with clear direction from government through the introduction of a policy designed to manage diffuse pollution combined with a subsidy system designed to reward those employing best practise, the impact on the farmers pocket will not be so great as to result in further damage to the industry".

"With the acknowledgement of a need to overhaul the farming industry and a move away from production subsidies towards subsidies aimed at enhancing the environment, now is the perfect time for Government to outline clearly and concisely how the industry can do their bit to ensure that legal requirements are met, whilst also ensuring that it is possible for farmers to deliver".

It would appear that free on farm advice may be one of the most practical ways to help farmers run their farms to the benefit of both themselves and the wider environment. There are already examples of projects that have not only delivered for the farmer in terms of financial savings, but have also delivered for the environment. These schemes involved the creation of buffer zones, the provision of alternative water sources for cattle and the management of the application of fertilisers and pesticides.

Editors notes.

For details of projects call Richard Smith at the Environment Agency, Exeter (01392) 316126 and Sarah Colquhoun at the West Country Rivers Project.

DEFRA are currently consulting on how the UK will implement the 1991 EC Nitrates Directive. DEFRA are asking whether the Directive should focus on specific Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (which would cover 80% of the UK) or focus on applying Action Programmes throughout the entire country. SAS believe that a UK wide approach is necessary and that by having a UK wide approach, this will also provide the perfect opportunity to manage diffuse pollution. A UK wide approach will also provide a level playing field with all farmers being required to implement management measures rather than just those farmers in identified Nitrate Vulnerable Zones.

The Water Framework Directive specifies that by 2015, all waters have to meet 'good' ecological status. The Directive will have implications for the water industry, all businesses that have discharge consents, trade effluent licenses or abstraction licences, for industry and to agriculture. Initial estimates on overall costs for making improvements to water status revealed a cost to the agricultural industry of between £0.6 and £2.9 billion. With the cost for an average farm, assuming the total area (64 hectares) requires the application of best agricultural management schemes, being £11 thousand per annum.

For more information call Vicky Garner, 01872 553001