Environment Newsletter - October 2022

Download Publication (PDF)

In this month's edition:

• Will ACRES count for you?
  Help biodiversity, water quality and climate mitigation on your farm alongside food production, with possible support from the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES). The deadline for the submission of applications for tranche one is expected to be mid November. This newsletter provides examples on scenarios for different livestock farming systems. If proceeding with an ACRES application, consider all options including traditional orchard, archaeology, barn owl nestbox, hedge laying/coppicing, low-emission slurry spreading, and rare breeds.
• Message from ASSAP - Protect water quality through ACRES
  There are a number of steps landowners can take to protect water quality on their farms:
  
  • riparian margins or zones – any surface water;
  • management of intensive grassland next to a watercourse – water (purple) line or single (green) stream on the Generic Land Management System (GLAMS);
  • grass margins – along permanent boundaries, including watercourses;
  • extensive grazing action – where no natural barrier exists, the watercourse must be fenced at least 1.5m from the top of the bank when bovines are present (drinking points are not permitted);
  • high status water on GLAMS – must undertake one of eight possible actions for tier 1 access;
  • vulnerable status on GLAMS – must undertake one of eight possible actions for tier 2a access; and,
  • plant 10 trees in riparian buffer zones for tier 2c access.

Follow best practice and put the right action in the right place – ask your ASSAP advisor.