Framework on reducing diffuse pollution from agriculture perspectives from catchment managers Photo: River Eden catchment, Sim Reaney, Durham University Introduction This framework has arisen from a series of workshops and networking events organized by the Catchment Change Network, in particular from a workshop in March 2012 that was held to discuss best practice in mitigating diffuse water pollution from agriculture and which included a field trip to the River Eden, Cumbria. A range of issues for improving best practice were identified, grouped and prioritised into four main categories (Figure 1): data collection and availability; education and access to research and case studies; policy and regulatory changes, and; action on the ground. Issues within each category were ranked and those with highest priority form the focus of this framework. The framework highlights the opportunities for addressing some of these issues provided by a new networking website; the Catchment Change Management Hub. This framework has been produced by Eleanor Mackay, Marion Walker and Phil Haygarth as part of the Catchment Change Network 2012. The Catchment Change Network (CCN) is a NERC-funded Knowledge Exchange Network. We also acknowledge the contributions of Ruth Alcock, Keith Beven and Peter Woodward. 1
What needs improving? Data collection and availability Data access and data gaps were identified as key barriers to improving knowledge about catchments, diffuse pollution sources and stream condition. This understanding is essential for the communication of the problem to people living and working in catchments and to provide the necessary evidence to plan, fund and carry out mitigation measures. Low cost high resolution monitoring involve everyone A lack of information and data on water quality and agricultural practices at appropriate temporal and spatial resolutions was the most important issue. Allied to this was the need to increase engagement with people who work or live in catchments. Access to data Data access issues are a big problem for catchment managers. There is a need to make better use of existing datasets; through easier access, access to catchment-specific information and increasing awareness of what data is available. Education and access to research and case studies Raising awareness of and engagement in diffuse pollution and water issues is an important priority. This is partly about improved and appropriate education, and also about making better use of existing best practice through information exchange. Figure 1: Priority issues identified by catchment managers to improve best practice in the mitigation of diffuse pollution from agriculture Action on the ground 26% Policy and regulatory changes 13% Data collection and availability 27% Education and access to research and case studies 34% Education about water and pollution Engaging the wider community about water use and water pollution is important, in order to increase awareness of issues and facilitate a change in attitudes and behaviour around water in our catchments. This spans all levels of learning from school children, the general public, land managers and advisors. Catchment network website/ forum for information sharing Currently, the ability to share experiences and best practice between catchment managers is fairly limited. There is a great deal of potential for learning lessons about successful initiatives or research outcomes if this experience could be better coordinated. Examples and case studies of good practice in catchment management Understanding what advice or measures to recommend to land managers can be a difficult process, particularly when considering cost effectiveness of measures. Access to a collection of examples and 2
case studies would assist this through learning from practical applications where they already exist, such as model farms or demonstration projects like the Defra Demonstration Test Catchments. Policy and regulatory changes The success of the catchment management approach to addressing diffuse pollution requires changes to policy and regulatory barriers. There is a need to facilitate a longer term perspective for catchment management options and a change in emphasis within funding schemes to improve recognition of water issues. Regulatory support for catchment management in the long term The timescales and areas of support from policy measures and diffuse pollution mitigation do not currently align. This creates problems for the implementation of long-term catchment management. Action on the ground Taking a more holistic approach to advice given to farmers on the ground, was a key area to address. The idea is to incentivise change through the promotion of more sustainable business practices, both economically and environmentally. Integrated farm plans / business advice tailored to the catchment A one-stop-shop approach is required for providing integrated farm plans and farm business advice incorporating actions to mitigate diffuse pollution. This advice needs to be tailored to the specific requirements of the catchment and farming type. What can we do about this? Barriers and Opportunities Ideas and problems in addressing these high priority issues were suggested, providing an outline of how to move towards best practice in practical terms. Group Issue Barriers and Opportunities Data collection and availability Low cost high resolution monitoring involve everyone Involve more people: Targeting school children, farmers and farming contractors as potential monitors of catchment activity or those with an interest in their local river such as anglers. This would both extend existing monitoring networks and raise awareness of water quality issues with people living and working in catchments. Technological developments are needed to provide rapid nutrient testing kits, novel detectors or passive samplers, allowing easier assessment of water quality over much larger areas. Satellite and computing technologies should also be exploited through use of remote sensing data, and mobile phone Apps. Monitoring equipment needs to be cheaper. Access to data Data accessibility needs to be made easier through data protection and licensing and the need to anonymize data. Data collection and sharing: Coordination is needed among organisations to make the best use of monitoring resources allowing the maximisation of information captured. The turnaround times between collection and dissemination should be as short as possible and data outputs should be user friendly and contextualised. Data should be available across a range of resolutions, allowing daily to yearly summaries to be readily extracted. 3
Group Issue Barriers and Opportunities Education and access to research and case studies Education about water and pollution Training for advisors: Continuing Professional Development is the best way to approach this issue. A certificate in soil and water management is already offered by BASIS (www.basis-reg.com). There may be scope for further development of this course and its promotion to advisors on the ground. It is crucially important that the advice given to farmers is high quality and credible. Training for farmers: There is the potential for the development of modules on diffuse pollution as part of agricultural training courses. For example, Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency have joined together to provide talks to local agricultural colleges in their region and have coordinated a competition for agricultural students on catchment soil management. Training for the wider public: It was recognised by the advisors that water needs to move up the public and political agenda. Water and diffuse pollution should be concepts taught in schools and related to the local area and catchment. A barrier in this area, is trying to engage the public more widely in an environmental issue that they do not currently have the awareness to care about. Catchment network website/ forum for information sharing Examples and case studies of good practice in catchment management Networking opportunities: A stronger social network is needed that is built around catchment activities to allow exchange of ideas and information between managers in geographically separated locations. Keeping up to date with catchment management: Managers need to know what the on-going research and initiatives are to avoid duplication. This information should be collated to allow coordination between groups and regions. Providing updates of information on new research and policy publication are also likely to be valuable in this context. It is also important that dissemination of this information occurs, for example, through a monthly newsletter. Catchment management on the ground: Use of real examples to demonstrate how organisations and stakeholders are working together. This information should put emphasis on the potential success, despite the existing barriers to cooperation and the flexibility in approach required to encourage a new type of working. Evidence base: There is a clear need to understand the impact of implementing mitigation measures, not only on an individual basis but also the cumulative impact of measures. This research will assist in the design of schemes and their acceptability to farmers implementing them. International perspective: Understanding how other countries have approached the same problems may provide new ideas and solutions. An international review of regulatory, voluntary and incentive approaches to catchment management for diffuse pollution should be undertaken or publicised. What are the successes, funding levels and farmer/ landowner engagement experiences from other countries? 4
Group Issue Barriers and Opportunities Policy and regulatory changes Regulatory support for catchment management in the long term Working between partners: Changes to policy and working practice are needed to achieve the long term benefits of catchment management. The formation of a steering group is needed to ensure that actions between different interest groups such as the utility companies, Natural England, Environment Agency, Rivers Trusts are tangible. This includes an alignment of action plans and timescales and better coordination between groups operating in catchments. Big challenges: Influencing policy changes will be necessary for future successes. This includes the timescales for delivery of improvements, making catchment management compulsory and aligning biodiversity and water quality priorities. Action on the ground Integrated farm plans / business advice tailored to the catchment Better use of existing Catchment Sensitive Farming network: An obvious extension is to include a one-stop-shop for farm business and diffuse pollution management advice and including banks and financial advisors as part of the development of plans. There is a real need to encourage farmers to make environmental decisions a key part of their normal business plan. Whole farm plans should be developed that are more dynamic and able to respond to changing pressures and drivers. Finally, improved coordination of plan funding is needed between utility companies, Natural England and the Environment Agency. Practical measures: Ideas for encouraging the uptake of mitigation measures can be a useful starting point. Examples from activities or approaches taken in other countries can provide information on broad approaches to engagement. The power of farmer to farmer influence is important, so use of champion farmers, peer pressure and demonstrating best practice through farm walks can help explain what mitigation means on the ground. Changes in policy: Coordinated lobbying is needed for the inclusion of water and diffuse pollution mitigation measures in agricultural funding mechanisms like the Higher Level Stewardship payment. The aim of the Hub is to provide a repository and guide to knowledge for planning catchment restoration and mitigation measures to achieve good ecological status in rivers and other water bodies for the benefit of local catchment managers, advisors and interested stakeholders including local community groups and the general public. Information and resources available from the Hub includes: A new focus for information The Catchment Change Management Hub Information about your local river and catchment; http:/ /ccmhub.net/ Data on catchment characteristics such as flow and water quality Tools and guidance on valuing ecosystem services, farm advice and stakeholder engagement; and Resources on research and measures for inclusion in catchment management plans The Hub is intended to be an interactive resource for all users; so get involved by sharing ideas and problems, ask questions and give feedback about your experiences on the ground. 5