5. ENVIRONMENT
Good agricultural practices
Good agricultural practice (GAP)
|
Examples of suggested measures to achieve GAP |
Objective/Control measure |
| 5.1 |
Have an appropriate waste management system. | |
| 5.1.1 |
Ensure wastes are stored to minimize the risk of environmental pollution |
| 5.1.2 |
Manage pastures to avoid effluent runoff by spreading farm manures in accordance with local conditions | |
– Limit the potential impact of dairy farming practices on the environment.
|
| 5.2 |
Ensure dairy farming practices do not have an adverse impact on the local environment | |
| 5.2.1 |
Contain dairy runoff on-farm |
| 5.2.2 |
Use chemicals (fertilizers, agricultural and veterinary chemicals, pesticides, etc) appropriately to avoid contamination of the local environment |
| 5.2.3 |
Ensure overall appearance of the dairying operation is appropriate for a facility in which high quality food is harvested | |
– Presenting a positive image of milk production practices.
|
| 52.3 |
Have an appropriate waste management system. | |
| 5.3.1 |
Ensure wastes are stored to minimize the risk of environmental pollution |
| 5.3.2 |
Manage pastures to avoid effluent runoff by spreading farm manures in accordance with local conditions | |
– Limit the potential impact of dairy farming practices on the environment. |
Fact sheet: Environment
Increasingly, consumers are concerned that the production of food is undertaken in harmony with the environment. To meet these concerns it is important that farmers produce milk in a way that minimizes any damage to the environment. The biggest potential source of environmental damage is from pollution caused by manures, slurry, silage liquor, etc.
The suggested Good Agricultural Practices for the Environment are set out under the following headings:
- Have an appropriate waste management system.
- Ensure dairy farming practices do not have an adverse impact on the local environment.
5.1 Have an appropriate waste management system
5.1.1 Ensure wastes are stored to minimize the risk of environmental pollution
Waste storage areas for example: manure heaps and slurry stores, should be sited appropriately. Regularly inspect permanent slurry stores and manure heaps for signs of leaks and impending structural failure to minimize the risk of runoff polluting the environment. Ensure other wastes such as plastic silage wrap are disposed of appropriately to prevent pollution of the environment.
5.1.2 Manage pastures to avoid effluent runoff by spreading farm manures in accordance with local conditions
Consider weather conditions and soil types before spreading manures. Use appropriate measures for example. wider buffer zones, to prevent manure from entering watercourses.
Consider adopting a manure management plan that identifies areas where there is a high risk of pollution on the farm. If spreading manure to land, follow statutory rates of application.
All organic manures – including slurries – should be incorporated into soil as soon as is practical, taking account of soil conditions and prevailing weather conditions. Manure and fertilizer should not be applied to waterlogged, steep or frozen ground where there is a risk of runoff.
A simple waste management plan will help identify when, where and at what rate to spread manures, slurry and other organic wastes to minimize the risk of causing pollution.
Waste management plans should give due consideration to:
- avoiding possible pollution of watercourses, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, wells, boreholes, underground water (shallow soils, fissured rock)
- avoiding potential pollution of habitat areas (e.g. woodlands, protected or recognized flora or fauna zones)
- ensuring that adequate buffer zones (non-spread areas) are maintained near vulnerable or sensitive areas (e.g water sources, habitat areas)
- timing and level of application on sloped ground, heavy or impermeable soils and areas subject to flooding
- optimum application levels on areas that have a high soil fertility status (e.g. high soil phosphorus)
- current or impending weather and soil conditions at the time of application (frost, frozen ground; heavy rainfall waterlogged soils)
- national and regional environmental controls.
5.2 Ensure dairy farming practices do not have an adverse impact on the local environment
5.2.1 Contain dairy runoff on-farm
Farmers should adopt systems that avoid the potential for the contamination of the local environment.
Storage facilities for oil, silage liquor, soiled water and other polluting substances must be located in a safe place and precautions must be taken to ensure that accidents do not result in the pollution of local water supplies.
Avoid using or disposing of agricultural or veterinary chemicals where drains, surface water or ground water can enter the local environment.
5.2.2 Use chemicals (fertilizers, agricultural and veterinary chemicals, pesticides, etc.) appropriately to avoid contamination of the local environment
The term ‘agricultural chemicals’ includes farm chemicals (for example pasture sprays, herbicides and grain protectants) as well as detergents and sanitizers used in the dairy. Ensure safe and secure storage of farm chemicals away from the dairy.
Use only registered chemicals in the dairy and on the farm; read the label and strictly follow the instructions, including adhering to withholding periods, when using agricultural chemicals.
Ensure safe disposal of expired or defective chemicals and empty chemical containers.
5.2.3 Ensure overall appearance of the dairying operation is appropriate for a facility in which high-quality food is harvested
To limit the potential adverse impact of dairying on the landscape and to provide a positive image of dairy production, dairy farmers should ensure that access roads to their farms and the farm surroundings are clean, sheds are correctly maintained and that access roads used by cattle are free of effluent. |