45% increase in agricultural business taking environmental action
There has been a marked shift in small agricultural businesses' awareness of their impact on the environment, according to an independent survey by environmental guidance website NetRegs.gov.uk. The SME-nvironment survey reveals an impressive 45 per cent increase in the number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agriculture implementing practical environmental measures in the past two years – with 48 per cent now having a practical measure in place (up from 33 per cent in 2005). This is a significantly greater improvement than in many other industry sectors.
The study reveals that a growing number of agricultural businesses are concerned about the environment, and are taking more action to curb their environmental impact than SMEs in other sectors. Forty-five per cent now have an environmental policy in place, well ahead of the cross-sector average of 40 per cent, and up from the 31 per cent recorded for agriculture in 2005. Agricultural businesses are proving more proactive than many others – taking steps to minimise their environmental impact through measures including recycling (mentioned by 71 per cent), waste minimisation (27 per cent) and implementing energy efficiency or water reduction measures (18 per cent).
However, agricultural SMEs are still unaware of how their business practices impact on the environment – and need more advice from environmental regulators and local authorities to avoid prosecution. Just one in seven or 15 per cent realised that they took part in activities that could harm the environment – from storing chemicals, fuels, oils and waste to abstracting water from lakes, rivers and boreholes.
NetRegs.gov.uk's survey reveals that SMEs' awareness of their specific legal obligations is still low, with just 24 per cent able to name a piece of environmental legislation, falling considerably among businesses employing fewer than 10 staff. However, the agricultural sector is outperforming most other sectors, with 36 per cent able to name a piece of environmental legislation unprompted. Now NetRegs is urging those businesses that are still unaware to find out their environmental responsibilities by visiting www.netregs.gov.uk.
In a year when SMEs have been hit by fines of around £2.4m for pollution and environmental damage, the need for better environmental support for all small businesses has never been greater. The Environment Agency's new Spotlight report reveals that three quarters of businesses fined over £5,000 for breaching environmental laws last year were SMEs – businesses employing fewer than 250 people – with the average SME fine topping £14,500.
Richard Martin, NetRegs programme manager, explained: "There is a growing will among small and medium sized agricultural businesses to protect the environment through improved business practices. But with limited time at their disposal, many still don't understand what they need to do.
"With the recent outbreak of foot and mouth, concerns over pricing and increasing competition from abroad, agricultural SMEs are under a great deal of pressure – and we realise that environmental considerations are not always a high priority. The NetRegs.gov.uk website has been developed to provide SMEs with easy-to-use, free guidance on how to comply with environmental legislation. Delivered as a partnership between the Environment Agency and the other environmental regulators, it explains to businesses exactly what they need to do to comply with the law and avoid prosecution."
As agricultural businesses will need to review the way in which they dispose of waste when new Landfill Regulations come into force on October 30, it is more important than ever that they get guidance on their environmental obligations – and take action to comply with the law. In the NetRegs.gov.uk survey, a quarter of small agricultural businesses were found to store waste, and 69 per cent store chemicals, fuel or oils – potentially harmful activities which many of those questioned did not think of as such.
NetRegs (www.netregs.gov.uk) provides a directory of all licensed recycling and waste management facilities through its free, online Waste Directory. Farmers and other agricultural businesses can find their nearest waste facility by typing in their postcode and selecting the types of waste they need to dispose of. The Waste Directory allows businesses to select recycling in preference to waste disposal and enables agricultural and other SMEs to make sure they are using a licensed waste contractor.
John Biddulph, partner in Rodmarton Farms which operates from Irongate farm in Cirencester, comments: "The main piece of environmental legislation which is applicable to the farming industry is the agricultural waste regulations in 2006. As yet, not all farmers understand the definitions contained within the regulations and with farming generating not only general waste but hazardous waste as well, an environmental guidance tool certainly has a role to play in educating the industry.
"With licensed landfill sites being an obvious solution to the waste problem, farmers do not immediately think of recycling. NetRegs is an ideal resource for farmers to learn more about the options and we would strongly recommend that they access the site."
John Biddulph, partner in Rodmarton Farms which operates from Irongate farm, Cirencester, comments:
"The main piece of environmental legislation which is applicable to the farming industry is the agricultural waste regulations in 2006. As yet, not all farmers understand the definitions contained within the regulations and with farming generating not only general waste but hazardous waste as well, an environmental guidance tool certainly has a role to play in educating the industry.
With licensed landfill sites being an obvious solution to the waste problem, farmers do not immediately think of recycling. NetRegs is an ideal resource for farmers to learn more about the options and we would strongly recommend that they access the site."
By purchasing a compactor to squash down various types of waste including pesticide containers and cardboard, Irongate Farm, which undertakes arable farming in Cirencester, exploited a gap in the market. It set up RF Waste, a waste management company employing three full-time members of staff.
RF Waste provides a waste recycling service to other farmers to help minimise their effect on the environment. This involves the collection of all waste packaging and wrapping materials for recycling.
In offering this waste recycling service, RF Waste has raised suppliers' awareness of disposal issues. This has lead to less packaging being used as well as the use of more recyclable materials for necessary wrapping materials. The company's aim for the future is to extend this service to more farmers and also expand the range of materials which can be recycled.
One particular issue thrown up by RF Waste concerns the recycling of chemical containers following the implementation of the agricultural waste regulations. May 15th 2007 marked the end of the year's exemption for burning containers, and highlighted concerns raised by the recycling companies in respect of the need for all containers to be triple rinsed and drained of any excess contaminants.
Accordingly, RF Waste foreman and sprayer operator Jonathan Buonaparte developed a range of environmentally responsible products including the Lydel Portable Drainage Module (PDM) specifically for such containers – in order that these may be baled up in the compactor and recycled. This multifunctional product also doubles as a bund underneath the induction hopper. It is easy to lift and pour through its special non-spill spout and importantly, operators have found that the contaminant may be poured safely back into the induction hopper. With a flat bottom design, it is easily cleaned – hygiene being most important wit
