Last call for groundwater authorisations
The Environment Agency today reminded farmers in England and Wales that invoices for the current year will be issued in July for the annual subsistence charges for authorisations granted under the Groundwater Regulations.
The Environment Agency issues groundwater authorisations to allow farmers to legally dispose of used sheep dip and pesticide washings on their land. However on 1 April 2004, an annual charge of £129 was reintroduced following the ending of a waiver of the charges, which initially came into force in 1999.
This income will be used to fund the Environment Agency’s work to protect ground and surface waters across England and Wales from the disposal of sheep dip or pesticide washings. This includes, for example, chemical and biological sampling of watercourses and groundwater along with periodic inspections of authorised disposal sites.
Meeting the requirements of the Groundwater Regulations is one aspect of the Single Farm Payment Cross Compliance rules which are currently under consultation by Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government. Farmers therefore need to be sure that they have the necessary authorisation in place if they dispose of pesticide washings or used sheep dip on their land.
The Environment Agency is also reminding farmers holding these authorisations that, if their circumstances or farming practices have changed so that they no longer dispose of relevant substances to land, they should apply for the authorisation to be revoked before 30 June 2004. If a request for revocation is not made before then farmers or contractors will be billed.
The Environment Agency’s Agriculture Policy Manager, Rob Robinson, said, “We are required to reintroduce this charge now that the period of the waiver has ended. However, we know that some farmers may no longer need their Groundwater Authorisation because they have stopped keeping sheep or changed their farming practices so that they no longer have pesticide washings or used sheep dip to dispose of. In such cases they should, as soon as possible, request us to revoke their authorisation.
“Any revocation requests received after 30 June 2004 will be subject to a pro-rata proportion of the annual fee between 1 April and the date of notification.”
“In addition, farmers should also bear in mind that they have responsibilities to ensure that substances such as used sheep dip are disposed of safely even if the material is taken off the farm. If farmers are using mobile dipping contractors, who then take the dip way, they should ensure these contractors are meeting the legal requirements. Rules for the disposal of larger quantities of used dip, as made by some contractors are being tightened.
“They should check that the contractor holds an appropriate authorisation for disposal at another location,” Rob Robinson continued. “and if a farmer is concerned that this is not the case then they should contact their Environment Agency local office immediately.”
The Environment Agency has already written to all known holders of Groundwater Authorisations notifying them of the re-introduction of the charge.
In addition to sheep dip, a Groundwater Authorisation is needed for the disposal of other substances such as pesticides (including sprayer washings) used vegetable and bulb dips, and biocides. However activities such as applying pesticides to crops within label specifications requirements do not require an authorisation.
Any farmers wishing to obtain more information or requiring a revocation request form should contact their local Environment Agency Office.
