Partnerships
In 2009, Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) developed a new programme of national and catchment partnerships. CSF is working with national and local partners with common objectives that bring resources, expertise and influence, in order to make advice on reducing diffuse water pollution from agriculture (DWPA) more widely available to farmers and growers in England.
National strategic partnerships
In 2009, Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) developed a new programme of national and catchment partnerships. CSF is working with national and local partners with common objectives that bring resources, expertise and influence, in order to make advice on reducing diffuse water pollution from agriculture (DWPA) more widely available to farmers and growers in England.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
Aim: To provide advice and information to farmers and advisers on soil management and precision farming to reduce the risk of diffuse water pollution from agriculture and raise the efficiency of fertiliser use and to improve soil management.
Activities: Dissemination or research findings and best practice advice on tramline management; reducing soil erosion and soil sampling; advice materials on AHDB sector body websites; workshops and a conference for farmers and advisers.
Professional Nutrient Management Group (NFU, CLA, FWAG, AIC, LEAF)
Aim: To improve the availability of advice and tools on nutrient management for farmers and advisers.
Activities: Promotion and distribution of ‘Tried and Tested’ (a step by step guide to nutrient planning); New to Nutrient Management and Think Manures publications; case studies; update directory of FACTS advisers; surveys of fertiliser practice and soil nutrients levels.
The Rivers Trust
Aim: To enable the Rivers Trust, through the PINPOINT project, to offer advice and tools to farmers that enable them to reduce DWPA.
Activities: Training courses for Rivers Trust staff/ CSFOs on reducing diffuse water pollution from agriculture and sedimentation; promoting angling passport scheme guidance/templates and providing advice to farmers through the Rivers Trust in the Welland and Tittesworth Reservoir catchments and information sheets on the website.
The Voluntary Initiative
Aim: To provide advice materials for farmers and agronomists on best practice in pesticide use.
Activities: Updating biobed manual and costed case studies; Farmer check lists on pesticide use developed; water protection booklet updated and distributed; training for grassland advisers and sprayer testers on pesticides; pesticide handling audits by sprayer manufacturers; leaflets on use of hand-held sprayers and grass weed control; articles and Farmers Weekly Academy for the farming media; other advice materials including presentations, booklets and articles.
Catchment partnerships
In addition to the priority catchments that are the main focus of CSF, catchment partnerships were established in 9 further catchments, identified by the River Basin District Liaison Panels as being at risk from DWPA. Local partners lead delivery in the catchment partnerships based on a catchment appraisal to identify key pollution issues in their catchment, geographical area or sector.
Advice for farmers to address water pollution problems identified is being delivered through newsletters, farmer workshops, farm advice visits, recommendations of funding support and other advice and information. From 2012/13, Catchment Sensitive Farming is also able to offer the Capital Grant Scheme in priority catchments.
The following catchment partnerships: (113kb)
are continuing to provide advice and the Capital Grant Scheme to farmers in CSF Phase 3.
