River Tern & Roden Catchment Sensitive Farming Project
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What is the project about?
- Reducing Diffuse Pollution- a result of accumulation of sediment, fertiliser, nutrient and pesticide leaching.
- Raising awareness to encourage early voluntary action to comply with Water Framework Directive (WFD) – all surface and groundwater bodies must achieve ‘good’ status by 2015.
- Currently it is estimated that around 80% of rivers, 50% of lakes and 25% of estuaries and coasts are unlikely to achieve the target due to diffuse pollution from agriculture – associated financial penalties could result in tighter regulation.
- CSF initiative provides advice and technical support to farmers in catchments - helps to improve resource management and reduce the risk of prosecution.
What are the aims of the project?
- Increase uptake of Environmental Stewardship – emphasis on resource protection options.
- Reduce sediment loading in rivers – decreased erosion means improved soil structure and organic matter for crops.
- Reduce levels of nitrates, phosphates & pesticides in surface and ground waters – targeted application and minimised leaching results in optimum crop efficiency.
- Increase number and quality of habitats in the catchment – benefit local species populations.
What can the project do for you?
- Environmental Stewardship applications
- Advice on Nitrate Vulnerable Zone regulations
- Soil resource management
- Manure, Nutrient and Crop Protection management plans
- Advice on cross-compliance
- Advice on best farm practice –
dairy, arable, beef, sheep, pigs, poultry, horticulture…………..FREE!
CONTACT us for more information
| Check out the MAP to see if you farm within the catchment |
Check our EVENTS for workshops relating to diffuse pollution & resource protection
Farming for the Tern Environment Agency statement:
The River Tern and its tributaries support a variety of animal and plant life including four protected species: water vole, great crested newt, European otter and white-clawed crayfish.
The water in the Tern catchment is abstracted for many used including agriculture and industry and is a valuable resource. The tern contributes significantly to the River Severn which is abstracted for major public drinking water supplies.
This catchment is facing pressures similar to many other water bodies. It has been identified as suffering from diffuse pollution-this is pollution that comes from many dispersed sources. Individually the sources may be small but their collective impact can be damaging. Diffuse pollution can be derived from current and past land use in both agricultural and urban environments.
The water quality has been reduced partly due to the agricultural nature of the catchment area with soil and nutrient loss from farmland reaching rivers and streams. These high levels of nutrients in the water lead to increased plant and algae growth and river channels become choked with weed. This reduces light to the water and requires regular weed cutting to keep the channels open.
The catchment has been awarded £55,000 from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI) to fund free advice for farmers, land managers and farm advisors from October 2006 to March 2008.