ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

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ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS TARGETS
ACHIEVEMENTS Professor Barry Dent
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Targets and Achievements for operations indicators
Indication Target Achievement
17,500 80 1.2 m. 100 750 100 100
22,404 76 .97 m 100 836 100 100
NR.SO (nos) NSTS (sprayed area CPMP ( No. of
Ha BASIS ( of Agrogomists) BETA (No. of
Agrogomists) EIS ( of Products) BAP ( of Cos)
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1.1 Water Quality Reduce the frequency of
detection of pesticides in untreated surface
water at levels above 0.1ppb Target 30
reduction by 2006
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Frequency of detection of pesticides in surface
freshwater
Achievement
Revised indicator 2004 19 lower than mean of
1998-2002
of samples gt0.1ug/l
Source Environment Agency England and Wales only
http//www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/10
3196/915822?referrer/yourenv/432430/432434/432487
/447407/
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1.2 Water Quality Reduce the frequency of
detection of the top ten pesticides in untreated
surface water at levels above 0.1 ppb Target
30 reduction by 2006
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Achievement
top nine pesticides exceeding0.1 µg/l in
surface waters Note diuron used outside
agriculture
Source Environment Agency England and Wales only
http//www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/10
3196/132012?referrer/yourenv/432430/432434/432487
/447407/
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1.3 Water Quality Maintain / reduce substantial
pollution incidents relating to pesticides
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Substantiated incidents involving agricultural
pesticides
Achievement
Source Environment Agency England Wales only
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• Biodiversity
• Make a contribution to the UK effort to meet
  Government targets for future populations of grey
  partridge, corn bunting and yellowhammer

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Population of Grey Partridge, Corn Bunting and
Yellowhammer Declines since 1970 is it
levelling off?
Achievement
Pesticide Forum original- new data awaited
Source British Trust for Ornithology
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Next Phase VI Two major components

• Continue with the main current projects
• CPMPs within ELS
• NRSO within main Assurance Schemes (NPTC)
• NSTS with main Assurance Schemes in England (AEA)
• Pilot catchments linked to the English Catchment
  Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative partially
  funded by DEFRA.
• BASIS and BETA Training for agronomists (BHSIS)
• Indicator farms
• LINK Funding

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Next Phase VI Two major components
2. A major new effort in Communication of key
messages and information on Best Practice Based
at NFU Natural HQ and funded largely by NFU.
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Objectives of VI extension
2. To create working sub-groups focusing on
Water quality (already exists) Biodiversity Ac
tion plans from sub-groups must be integrated
with Existing or new other European / National
initiatives e.g. Water framework
initiatives National Pesticide
Strategy ECSFDI
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Future environmental indicators
Water

• Use of EA National Water quality monitoring data
  has serious spatial and temporal sampling
  problems from the perspective of assessing the VI
  
• Possible use of Water Company monitoring data?

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Future environmental indicators
Water

• Different regions anyway have different soil /
  farm types, topography, established farming
  practice etc.
• - perhaps regional indicators?

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Future environmental indicators
Water

• Surface water figures are subject to the
  unpredictable and pervasive influence of rainfall
  quantity and temporal and spatial distribution.
• Perhaps we should be seeking the risk of water
  pollution associated with pesticide use?

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Future environmental indicators
BIODIVERSITY
1. Aquatic No VI suitable indicators established
NB Need for historical database? Research
needed for this purpose but not within VI
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Future environmental indicators
BIODIVERSITY

• 2. Terrestrial (Birds so far)
• Historical data series influenced by issues only
  partially related to pesticides. No clear
  cause/effect for most species.
• Is there a prospect of a risk-based indicator
  related to best practice?

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How then to move forward quickly on these
important issues?
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Key Operational Indicators
1. A Register of those involved with
handling/application of pesticides. There is a
CPD programme of points. Recognised by most
Assurance Schemes. (NROSO managed by NPTC)
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Key Operational Indicators
2. A comprehensive national sprayer testing
scheme. (NSTS managed by AEA) Establishment
of a national network of Testing
Stations. Recognised by most Assurance Schemes
post mid 2006
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Key Operational Indicators
3. Crop Protection Management Plans self-audited
assessment and planning for environmental aspects
of crop protection across whole farm. Now within
ELS
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Key Operational Indicators

• Agronomist training
• BASIS register
• Provision and promotion of an advanced
  certification emphasising environmental aspects
  of crop protection.

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Key Operational Indicators

• Environmental Information sheets for farmer
  guidance for all PPP
• Biodiversity Action Plan for all member companies
  of the CPA.

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Objectives of VI extension

• To maintain the momentum of the existing
  programme keeping the focus on water quality and
  biodiversity improvement.

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Objectives of VI extension
2. To develop and expand mechanisms for collation
and delivery of information and messages arising
from VI and elsewhere