Salmon and Trout Association: Agricultural Policy

The biggest impact on the ecology of our freshwaters is the quality of the water feeding into them. Whatever the water source, management of the surrounding land is the all-important factor in determining water quality and ecological well-being. Rainfall running off farmland can carry with it an array of pollutants including pesticides (see: Sheep dip), and phosphates and nitrates, which can lead to algae blooms (see: Nutrients). Poor soil management can increase the amount and speed of run-off, leading to fine sediments being washed into watercourses (see: Fine Sediments). These can all have devastating impacts on our native fish, invertebrates and plants.

The S&TA actively lobbies for more sustainable agricultural practises, which do not compromise our water quality.

Catchment Sensitive Farming

S&TA sits on Defra’s Catchment sensitive farming (CSF) working group. CSF is a mechanism for tackling diffuse pollution from agriculture. It is a joint initiative between Defra, Environment Agency(EA) and the Natural England (EA), designed to advise and help farmers tackle the causes of water pollution. The initial £25 million two year (2007/08) initiative focused on forty catchments across England, identified as priority areas requiring action. Catchment sensitive farming officers (CSFO) were appointed to research the underlying problems within their river systems and draw up priority plans to tackle the problems. An important part of this work includes liaison with local farmers, to highlight the impacts that agricultural practices have on water quality.

The CSF Capital Grants Scheme is designed to help farmers protect river habitat running through their land. The 2007/08 scheme included:

• £5 million total budget available for farmers and landowners
• £1 million allocated for monitoring, overseen by EA
• £5,000 maximum grant per farm
• Grants to cover fencing, roofing (to collect rainwater for other uses), pasture drinking points (instead of allowing livestock into rivers), livestock river crossings etc.
• Application on a first serve basis through CSFO.

The S&TA attend CSF stakeholder meeting on behalf of fisheries interests. The meeting in November 2007 confirmed the Capital Grants Scheme received 1,166 applications, of which 739 were approved. The top improvements funded by the project were yard works, farm access tracks, roofing yards and watercourse fencing.

A limitation of the project is the failure to access to effectiveness of the measures to reduce water pollution. In order to help address this, the S&TA are funding research into ‘Assessing the efficacy of channel bank fencing schemes for reducing sediment pressures on salmonid spawning gravels’ (for further details see: Research).

CSF has gained funding of £12.9 million to continue to scheme in 2008/09. Delivery will extend into a further 10 catchments, as well as the original 40 catchments. Five additional CSFO officers will also be employed and nine new Regional coordinators, whose job will be to link CSF with the Water Framework Directive.

Recent S&TA consultation responses on Agricultural Policy include;

S&TA response to; Defra’s: Implementation of the Nitrates Directive 2007:

The S&TA supported applying the revised Action Programme throughout England, and supported proposals to reduce fertiliser and manure usage, and improve slurry storage capacities on farms. We felt the inclusion of cover crops could be an important step in reducing both nutrient and sediment pollution reaching our watercourses. We requested Defra consider greater cross-compliance in agricultural policy, and to identify where the necessary resources to facilitate this Directive would come from. We supported the principal of anaerobic digestion, but feel financial incentives would be required to ensure participation.
For full response click here

S&TA response to; Defra’s: Protection of Water from Diffuse Pollution 2007:

The S&TA felt the consultation focused too specifically on phosphorus. We were disappointed with the lack of details on sedimentation and the failure to mention sheep dip pollution. We supported the need for an alternative policy package with more detailed measures to tackle other sources of diffuse pollution. We supported the principal of Water Protection Zones (WPZ) as a focused regulatory tool, and felt the principal of merging WPZs with NVZs would help implement integrated holistic management. However, we questioned whether it would be possible, or compatible, under their current guidelines.
For full response click here

S&TA response to; Defra’s: Proposed Catchment Sensitive Farming Capital Grant Scheme 2006: For full response click here

Other information and initiatives

Teme Rivers Water Friendly Farming Good Practice Guide (September 2009)

PINPOINT Flysheet (October 2009)