Steps to prevent manure, fertiliser and soil getting into watercourses – known as diffuse water pollution.
Assess pollution risks
Consider the risks of runoff and soil erosion from these factors…
- angle of slopes, in particular if the angle is greater than 12 degrees
- amount of ground cover
- distance to inland freshwaters, coastal waters, wetlands, springs, wells or boreholes
- soil type and condition
- presence and condition of land drains
Before you use manure or fertiliser
Plan each application of manure or fertiliser on your land…
- how much fertiliser or manure to use, so you do not use more than your crop or soil needs
- assess the pollution risks
- consider the weather conditions and forecasts at the time you want to apply manure or fertiliser on your land
(You can use the Nutrient Management Guide RB209 to work out the nutrients your soil or crop needs.)
Soil tests for cultivated agricultural land
When applying manure or fertiliser to cultivated agricultural land, you must also plan by using the results of soil tests.
The results of soil tests must show the pH and levels of nitrogen (you can use the soil nitrogen supply calculator instead of a soil test), phosphorus, potassium, magnesium
(Soil test results must be no more than 5 years old at the time of application.)
Applying fertiliser
You must not use fertiliser…
- on waterlogged, flooded or snow-covered soil
- when the soil has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the past 24 hours
- within 2 metres(m) of inland freshwaters, coastal waters, a spring, well or borehole
- where risk factors mean there’s a significant risk of pollution
Using manure
You must not use manure…
- on waterlogged, flooded or snow-covered soil
- when the soil has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the past 24 hours
- within 50m of a spring, well or borehole
- within 10m of inland freshwaters or coastal waters unless you’re using precision equipment or you’re managing land for specific environmental benefits
- where risk factors mean there’s a significant risk of pollution
(You can apply manure no closer than 6m from inland freshwaters or coastal waters if you use a trailing hose or shoe band spreader, a shallow injector (no deeper than 10cm) or a dribble bar applicator.)
Exception for environmental benefits
Exceptions apply for land you manage for breeding wader birds or as a species-rich semi-natural grassland. On this land, you can apply livestock manure (not slurry or poultry) within 10m of inland freshwaters and coastal waters if the land is in an Environmental or Countryside Stewardship scheme or it’s a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and…
- you do not apply manure onto the surface of water
- you only apply the manure from 1 June to 31 October
- you apply no more than 12.5 tonnes per hectare per year
Reduce pollution risks when you use manure or fertiliser
Take reasonable precautions to reduce the risk of pollution when you apply manure or fertiliser e.g.
- checking your spreading equipment is calibrated and does not leak
- working manure or fertiliser into the soil within 12 hours or as soon as possible after applying it
- checking the organic matter content and moisture level in your soil – you can use the Nutrient Management Guide RB209 or other resources to help you do this
Storing manure
Take into account risk factors for runoff when deciding where to store manure on your land.
Do not store
- within 10m of inland freshwaters or coastal waters
- within 50m of a spring, well or borehole
Prevent erosion: manage livestock and soil
Examples of good practice…
- planting crops in early autumn and in dry conditions
- planting headland rows and beds across the base of sloping land
- undersowing or sowing a cover crop to stabilise soil after harvest
- breaking up compacted soil
- establishing grass buffer strips in valleys, along contours, slopes, field edges and gateways
Manage livestock
Make sure you prevent livestock compacting soil by trampling it (poaching) within 5m of an inland freshwater or coastal water.
Do not place livestock feeders…
- within 10m from inland freshwaters or coastal waters
- within 50m of a spring, well or borehole
- where risk factors mean there’s a significant risk of pollution
Take reasonable precautions to prevent pollution from managing livestock e.g.
- moving livestock to prevent poaching and bankside erosion – find out how inspectors check you’re complying with the rules
- wintering livestock on well-drained, level fields