{"id":5303,"date":"2020-08-18T14:42:14","date_gmt":"2020-08-18T14:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www-dev.promar-international.com\/?p=5303"},"modified":"2020-08-18T14:42:14","modified_gmt":"2020-08-18T14:42:14","slug":"water-rules-do-you-know-if-youre-compliant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www-dev.promar-international.com\/it\/water-rules-do-you-know-if-youre-compliant\/","title":{"rendered":"Water Rules: Do you know if you\u2019re compliant?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
By Vicki Halliwell<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to water, the thoughts of most farmers immediately jump to whether there\u2019s too much or too little of the stuff. However, it\u2019s some surprisingly little-known regulations around protecting water quality which should be getting more of the industry\u2019s attention.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduced in 2018, Defra\u2019s Farming Rules for Water<\/a> have been developed to support the department\u2019s 25 Year Environment Plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying to all farmers across England, they set a consistent baseline of good practice for farmers in an effort to prevent diffuse water pollution while fulfilling Water Framework Directive<\/a> obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practical terms, the rules Defra devised (see below) require that soil is kept on the land, that nutrients match crop and soil requirements, and that livestock, fertilisers and manures don\u2019t enter watercourses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They apply to all farming and horticultural practices, and cover everything from using and storing organic manure and manufacturers fertilisers, to planting and harvesting, soil management and managing livestock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the rules might have come into force more than two years ago, it seems farmer awareness of them is varied \u2014 and in some cases, worryingly limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judging by industry feedback, many farmers may be complying without realising, whilst others are unknowingly in breach of the regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Farming Rules for Water<\/h2>\n

Defra\u2019s rules for good farming practice cover:<\/em><\/p>\n