GLASTIR The new welsh agri-environment scheme

Transcription

1 GLASTIR The new welsh agri-environment scheme February 2012

2 Ann Humble Head of Branch Glastir Targeted and Woodland Elements

3 Glastir Brief overview of the Glastir scheme How targeting works in the Targeted Element How we are targeting water quality

4 AWE = ELS Glastir structure TE = HLS ACRES All Wales Element (AWE) Commons 1 S e l e c ti o n Targeted Element (TE) Glastir

5 Glastir structure All Wales Element (AWE) lower level agri-environment scheme Common land Element (CLE) Lower level agrienvironment scheme specifically on Common land Targeted Element (TE) selective higher level agrienvironment scheme for farms and commons Agriculture Carbon reduction and Efficiency scheme (ACRES) Capital grants on farms in AWE. Glastir Woodland Management and creation available to all land owners.

6 Glastir TE Targeted Element Must be in AWE or CLE to be eligible for a TE contract. No application process. Express an interest to join the scheme (Tick a box). Welsh Government (WG) selects who goes forward.

7 Glastir Targeted Element: Priorities Carbon Water (quality and quantity) Biodiversity (species & habitats) Historic Environment Access

8 Glastir TE TE selection process WG with expert Partners has developed 130 target maps. Government advisors including EAW, Countryside Council for Wales, Forestry Commission Wales, Cadw. External experts RSPB, Butterfly Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, Dwr Cymru

9 Example Maps

10 Example Maps 50+ maps covering the whole of Wales

11 Glastir Targeted Element: Selection Each target layer has a weighting Weighting is determined by WG. Based on: WG priority Size of target map large coverage of Wales lower weight or small areas higher weighting Water quality and Carbon soils WG highest priorities

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13 High score High score

14 Glastir Targeted Element: Each farm must deliver at least 1 action per objective they have been selected for. Each objective has a list of actions (options) that can be used to deliver this objective. Only those actions are available to that farmer. Contract Manager goes to the farm knowing what environmental goods we are seeking to buy.

15 Glastir Targeted Element So how do we target water quality? EAW and CCW worked together to create water quality maps

16 Glastir Targeted Element Water Quality Priority Areas Driven by requirements and deadlines of WFD and Habitats directive Identified areas where strong evidence of impacts by diffuse pollution from agriculture

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18 Glastir Targeted Element:

19 Glastir Targeted Element Water Quality Priority Areas 1 & 2 Priority 1 - WFD protected areas and their hydrological catchments that have a deadline for achieving their environmental objectives by 2015 Priority 2 - WFD water bodies that have a deadline for achieving their environmental objectives by 2015

20 Glastir Targeted Element In Priority areas 1 & 2 Farmers must complete a Manure Management plan EAW are contracted to undertake: Water Management Plan Nutrient Management Plan Storage report

21 Glastir Targeted Element Water Management Plan Split into 2 parts: Field survey Assess the improved fields identifying key water quality issues. Yard Survey Assess the yard, e.g. slurry stores, silage storage, yard runoff Provides recommendations for farmers Report produced for farmers and WG

22 Glastir Targeted Element Water Management Plan: Risk Levels Risk Low Description Current problem with low impact or potential problem with medium impact (i.e. if farming practices change) Medium Current problem with medium impact or potential problem with high impact (i.e. if farming practices change) High Current problem with high impact

23 Glastir Targeted Element Low Risk e.g. Poaching with only small volumes of sediment reaching the watercourse Fields either side do not seem to have any problems (e.g. poaching). The risk may increase if the fields are used during sheep dipping. (c) Environment Agency Wales

24 Glastir Targeted Element Medium Risk e.g. Poaching or erosion resulting in significant quantities of sediment reaching the watercourse Significant poaching There is a ditch at the bottom of the field and it is likely that sediment is being transported to this (c) Environment Agency Wales

25 Glastir Targeted Element High Risk e.g. Slurry lagoon that is currently leaking. Collapse of river bank resulting in large sediment loads to the water course (c) Environment Agency Wales

26 Glastir Targeted Element Water Management Plan WG has undertaken that as a minimum all high impact problems will be addressed in the TE contract. Yard issues are addressed through ACRES. Fast track into this scheme.

27 Glastir Targeted Element Nutrient Management Plan Undertaken by FACTS qualified practitioners. Identify the soil nutrient balances on the farm. Will make recommendations on slurry/manure applications, fertiliser and lime requirements. WG will be doing soil tests to check compliance with the nutrient management plan

28 Glastir Targeted Element Storage report Produced to support a current ACRES Manure/Slurry application or where the EAW identify that there is a need for improvements Recommendations to reach 5 months storage capability

29 Glastir Targeted Element Water Quality Priority 3, 4 & 5 Contract Manager visits only Comprehensive training with EAW Local EAW staff on hand to do joint visits if necessary Same officers that are dealing with priority 1 and 2 cases

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