FAQs

Introduction

Who should complete a CPMP?

All farmers who use Plant Protection Products (PPPs) should complete a CPMP. By completing CPMPs, farmers are not only helping themselves by identifying any changes necessary to minimise the environmental impact of the PPPs they use, they also play a major role in demonstrating how the voluntary approach can lead to the adoption of best practice and thereby minimise the risk of further regulation.

Why complete a CPMP?

Completing a CPMP is required by some assurance schemes and was also an option in ELS until February 2007. It is important to complete a CPMP to support the Voluntary Initiative and hereby prove to Government that farmers are doing what they can to keep pesticides out of water.

How do I complete a CPMP?

1. Last year’s action plan

Before completing your new CPMP it is important that you take time to look at your action plan from the previous year. Identify which actions you have completed and which

actions you will need to complete over the next year.

2. Completing the CPMP

The CPMP is divided into 4 sections – each section focusing on different issues related to the protection of water and biodiversity. The CPMP should ideally be completed with an agronomist but it is quite possible to do on one’s own. It is very important to involve the sprayer operator in completing the CPMP – especially the specific

sprayer operator section. Please see table below. Each section is made up of a series of questions requiring a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ answer. If the answer is ‘No’ you can move on

to the next question. If the answer is ‘Yes’ you then need to look at the list of options underneath and select ALL the measures that apply to your farm. Please note that you

can select as many measures as you like – as long as they correspond with the practice on your farm.

	Which issues do I need to focus on?	Who should be involved in completing the section?
Planning & Preparation Section	Focus on issues the farm manager will need to consider in his planning and preparation to ensure everything is done to protect water and biodiversity on farm.	Farm manager
Field Management Section	Aiming to highlight water and biodiversity issues the farmer and the sprayer operator might come across while managing the fields.	Farm manager Sprayer Operator
Sprayer Operator Section	This section focuses on all the issues a sprayer operator comes across and can therefore not be completed without the involvement of the farm sprayer operator. However, if all spraying operations are done by a contractor this section can be omitted.	Farm manager Sprayer Operator (essential)
Storage & Record Keeping Section	A short section highlighting issues related to emergency action plans, pesticide storage and record keeping.	Farm manager Sprayer Operator

Who gets to see the data?

The data from the CPMPs go to the NFU. No data or information is passed on to any other organisations except when the farm results form part of a larger statistical analysis. In this case, no individual farmer will be identified.

Why should I complete my CPMP honestly?

The CPMP is a self assessment tool which helps farmers to identify any changes necessary to minimise the environmental impact of the pesticides they use. The results of the CPMPs are kept by the NFU for analytical purposes. Data and results are not passed on to anyone else.

How often should I update my Crop Protection Management Plan?

The CPMP should be updated annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Agricultural Waste

There is no definitive list of what is or is not waste. However agricultural waste includes discarded pesticide containers, plastics such as silage wrap, bags and sheets, packaging waste, tyres, batteries, clinical waste, old machinery and oil etc.
England and Wales: and enforcement on agricultural waste is delivered by the Environment Agency http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

Scotland: Advice on agricultural waste is delivered by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) http://www.sepa.org.uk/

Northern Ireland: Advice and enforcement on agricultural waste is delivered by the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/

BASIS

An independent, self regulatory registration, standards and certification scheme serving the pesticide, fertiliser and allied organisations and interests. http://www.basis-reg.com/

BASIS professional Register

An advisor who is a member of the Register demonstrates that he/she is technically qualified in line with Government legislation and that he/she is updated on an annual basis. To remain on the Register, individuals need to accrue annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.

Beetle bank

A beetle bank is a strip of grass or perennial plants across a field that provide habitat which fosters and provides cover for insects hostile to pests. The width of a beetle bank should be 2 to 3 m wide and about 0.4 m high ideally. By careful location across slopes, beetle banks can reduce within-field erosion. The beetle bank may connect to existing field edges or have gaps up to 25 m wide at either end to allow machinery access.

BETA (Biodiversity and Environmental Training for Advisers)

An agronomist with a BETA qualification has undertaken training to improve their knowledge and skills in biodiversity and environmental management. To obtain the BETA qualification you must hold the BASIS Crop Protection Certificate, Letter of Exemption or Validated Certificate for Field, Sales and Technical Staff.

Biobed

This is normally a pit in the ground containing a mixture of straw, soil and compost, which is turfed over. If the intention is the handle and mix pesticides ONLY, then drainage from the area may be direct to soil. If the intention is to also wash down the sprayer/vehicle prior to liquid disposal then all discharges must be contained.

For more information visit www.biobeds.info

Buffer zone

Certain pesticides have an aquatic buffer zone requirement when applied by horizontal boom or broadcast air-assisted sprayers. These zones have to be kept completely pesticide free.

Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products

The Code of Practice is for all professional users of plant protection products in England and Wales in respect of Part III of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) and the regulations controlling pesticides, particularly plant protection products, under that part of the Act. It is a legal requirement to keep a copy of the code on farm.

See http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/safe_use.asp?id=64 for the English code or get a free copy on compact disk by phoning DEFRA on 08459 55 6000
See http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/19110050/0 for the Scottish code

Conservation headlands

Conservation headlands are an area between the crop edge and the first tramline that are treated less intensively so that a greater range of broad leaved weeds and beneficial insects survive. They are usually the width of a part of the sprayer boom (4 - 6 metres) that can be switched off to prevent the application of some pesticides.

Decision trees

VI decision trees have been developed as tools to help farmers make the right decisions in order to prevent the pesticides reaching water. Decision trees have been developed for chlorotoluron, isoproturon, Mecoprop-p, simazine, carbetamide, metazachlor and propyzamide. See http://www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk for decision trees.

Emergency Plan

An emergency plan should include procedures to handle pesticide emergencies. The plan should include a site map with the location oil tanks, gas cylinders, any chemicals (e.g. pesticides and fertilisers), water courses and drains. Make sure to explain the plan and procedures to your staff. Use training and rehearsals to ensure staff understand and to check that the procedures work. See document below for more information.

http://www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk/_attachments/BPG%20emergency%20Procedures.pdf

Entry Level Stewardship (ELS)

ELS is an environmental stewardship scheme that requires a basic level of environmental management. The aim is to encourage a large number of English farmers across a wide area of farmland to deliver simple yet effective environmental management for a payment of £30 per hectare per year.

Environmental Information Sheets (EIS)

The purpose of EIS is to provide user-friendly information to advisers (including those in the amenity sector), farmers and growers on the environmental impact of crop protection products. By referencing a product’s label and its EIS to the local conditions at the application site product use decisions can be planned and made with a better understanding of the practical implications. EIS do not offer guidance on whether one product is more environmentally acceptable than another. Not all products currently have an EIS. An EIS sheet can be located from www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk/Content/EISSheets

FWAG – Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) is an independent provider of environmental and conservation advice and consultancy to farmers and crofters.
Please visit www.fwag.org.uk

Grandfather rights

All pesticide users must be adequately trained, no matter what their age and qualifications. The law says that contractors who apply agricultural pesticides commercially, and all operators born after 31 December 1964, are required to have a certificate of competence. The right to apply pesticides without an operator’s certificate of competence, because the operator was born before 31 December 1964, is known as ‘grandfather rights’.

Groundwater Authorisation

The disposal of listed substances, which are potentially damaging to the environment, is controlled through the issue of groundwater authorisations. A groundwater authorisation is a permit to dispose of listed substances such as dilute pesticides into or onto land. It identifies the land to be used for disposal and contains easily met conditions designed to protect groundwater, surface waters and local wildlife. Send application to the Environment Agency http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1745440/1745496/1890311/?lang=_e

Groundwater Authorisation

Groundwater Source Protection Zones

The Environment Agency has defined Source Protection Zones (SPZs) for 2000 groundwater sources such as wells, boreholes and springs used for public drinking water supply. These zones show the risk of contamination from any activities that might cause pollution in the area. The closer the activity, the greater the risk.

Habitats Scheme

This scheme, which is part of the Scottish Agri-Environment Programme, came into operation in November 1994. It provides assistance to encourage farmers and crofters to establish specific habitats of conservation value. The aim is to establish or improve certain types of habitat which considered to be of significant conservation value. Participants could choose either take the specified land out of agricultural production for 20 years or restrict the agricultural use of the land to limited grazing, managed in the interests of conservation, for a period of 10 years.
In addition the farmer must follow certain management requirements to help establish and maintain the habitats identified. In return, farmers and crofters will receive annual payments for the duration of their participation in the Scheme.

Hazardous waste

Hazardous waste is essentially waste that contains hazardous properties that may render it harmful to human health or the Environment. The European Commission has issued a Directive on the controlled management of such waste (91/689/EEC) and hazardous waste is defined on the basis of a list, the European Waste Catalogue, drawn up under that Directive. To help determine if your waste is hazardous or not consult the Environment Agency's guidance document WM2.

Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)

HLS is an environmental stewardship scheme in England that requires an advanced level of environmental management. The aim is to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority situations and areas. Payments relate to the options chosen.

Integrated Crop Management (ICM)

ICM combines traditional methods, such as crop rotation, with modern approaches, like minimum tillage, to achieve optimum long-term yields at a minimum environmental impact. The components of ICM, such as crop rotation, cultivation, fertilizers, pest control and habitat management are used to enable a more targeted use of chemicals.

Induction hopper

A pesticide handling system that reduces the risk of spillage by improving the process by which pesticides are transferred from the original container to the sprayer tank. Spillages of concentrated pesticide formulations, particularly when loading the sprayer, represent an important risk of both operator and point source environmental contamination.
Induction hoppers are widely available for use with all designs of sprayer. All new sprayers should incorporate an induction hopper. In most designs of induction hopper, material poured into the hopper is drawn into the main sprayer tank by the action of a Venturi valve. Streams of water are directed down the side-walls to prevent material build up in the hopper; being able to work with high loading rates is an important aspect of the performance of induction hoppers. A mechanism for rinsing empty pesticide containers to a recognised standard is incorporated into the hopper design.

Knapsack Sprayer

The knapsack is an ideal way of spraying small volumes and is conveniently carried on the back. The knapsack is very useful for spot treating weeds and tidying up around the farmyard with a total or selective weedkiller, but it is easy to over fill and difficult to clean out without a lot of splashes or spills. Unless you have a designated filling or handling area fill and clean the sprayer on grass, ensuring washings do not enter drains or ditches.A knapsack sprayer is an ideal way of spraying small volumes of solution. The sprayer is carried conveniently on the back.

LERAP Scheme

LERAP stands for Local Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides and applies to certain pesticides with an aquatic buffer zone requirement when applied by horizontal boom or broadcast air-assisted sprayers near water or potential water carrying ditches (even dry). If you want to reduce this aquatic buffer zone, there is a legal obligation to carry out and record a Local Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides (LERAP).
If you just want to apply the label buffer zone you don’t have to carry out a LERAP. But you are still legally obliged to record this decision as normal in your spray records.
All products are graded under the LERAP scheme and all the information is in the statutory box on the label. The categories are: A) 5 metre buffer zone required – not eligible for reduction. B) 5 metre buffer zone required but can be reduced with LERAP measures. C) No buffer zone required.

Natura 2000

Natura 2000 is the European Union-wide network of protected areas, recognised as ‘sites of Community importance’ under the EC Habitats Directive. The Natura 2000 network includes two types of designated areas: Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA).

Nozzle choice

Whether a particular low-drift nozzle fits your program depends upon your spraying needs and how you currently operate. Larger droplets reduce drift potential, but they may also reduce the effectiveness of the pesticide application. One nozzle will seldom be the best choice for all situations.

NPTC certificate of competence

Although all users of pesticides must be trained to be competent, some users are required by law to have an appropriate certificate of competence. This requirement applies to:

those born after 31 December 1964;
those providing a commercial service, such as contractors and those working for local councils; and
fumigators using methyl bromide.

Even if you do not necessarily need a certificate of competence it will provide evidence you have been properly trained to use the application equipment safely, effectively and accurately. Also, some crop assurance schemes, contract specifiers and professional registers (for example, the BASIS Advanced Contractors Certification Scheme (BACCS) for amenity/industrial contractors) may demand that pesticides are only applied by certificated operators. http://www.nptc.org.uk/

NRoSO – National Register of Sprayer Operators

A central register of sprayer operators using Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as a means of ensuring ongoing training. The scheme is open to anybody who holds an appropriate NPTC PA certificate of competence, or was born before 31st December 1964 and is applying pesticides under “Grandfather Rights”. As a member you are required to collect 30 or more CPD points in each three-year period to qualify for membership renewal. http://nroso.nptc.org.uk/

NSTS – Nation Sprayer Testing Scheme

A sprayer testing scheme set up to meet various requirements, including assurance schemes, processor/retailer production protocols as well as satisfying the desire of many operators to verify the accuracy and overall fitness of their pesticide application requirement. The test is undertaken by a 'test centre' and conducted by a trained examiner who holds a valid NPTC level 3 Certificate of Competence. A list of all the 'test centres' in the UK is available from NSTS. Please visit http://www.aea.uk.com/sprayer/index.htm

Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS)

Organic Entry-Level Stewardship is a 'whole farm' scheme similar to ELS, open to all farmers in England who manage all or part of their land organically and who are not receiving aid under the Organic Aid Scheme (OAS) or the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). Agreements under the scheme will last for five years. You will be paid a flat rate payment of £60 per ha, per year for all of your OELS eligible land. http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/oels/default.htm

Pollen and nectar flower mixture

A seed mixture of at least three pollen and nectar rich plants which when incorporated in plots can boost the number of pollen and nectar feeding insects including butterflies and bumblebees.

PPE – Personal Protection Equipment

Any device to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards such as the mixing of pesticides.

Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS)

An environmental stewardship scheme in Scotland that provides assistance to encourage farmers, crofters and common grazings committees to adopt environmentally friendly practices and to maintain and enhance particular habitats and landscape features. The scheme is discretionary, with all applications being subject to a selection process through a ranking system. Applicants undertake to participate in the scheme for a period of at least 5 years. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/agri/rss-00.asp

SAC

Special Area of Conservation classified under the EC Habitats Directive. These areas have been designated as they are thought to make a significant contribution to conserving the 189 habitat types and 788 species identified in Annexes I and II of the Habitats Directive.

SAFFIE project

SAFFIE was a five-year joint industry, academic and government collaborative project. The aim was to enhance biodiversity in and around winter wheat crops by integrating novel habitat management practices within the crop and in non-cropped field margins without compromising yields or profitability. Thanks to the SAFFIE project farmers can now receive valuable advice on how to encourage in-field biodiversity. Visit www.saffie.info for further information.

Skylark Plot

Skylark Plots (SP), also known as ‘undrilled patches or scrapes’, have been shown to increase the breeding success of skylarks by 49%. Skylarks benefit from the undrilled areas because they can spot and capture insect food for their young more easily. Skylark Plots should be placed in a more than 5 ha field to be sown with a winter cereal. Avoid fields bounded by tree lines or adjacent to woods. Do not create the plots on tramlines and where possible plots should be placed at least 50m from the edge of the field to reduce predator damage to nests. Either lift up the drill during sowing or spray out the plot with a non-selective herbicide before end of December. For more information go to www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk and download the CPA’s best practice guide on skylark plots.

Source Protection Zone

Source Protection Zones have been define for 2000 groundwater sources such as wells, boreholes and springs used for public drinking water supply. These zones show the risk of contamination from any activities that might cause pollution in the area. The closer the activity, the greater the risk. There are three main zones: inner (zone 1), outer (zone 2) and total catchment (zone 3). The Environment Agency use the zones in conjunction with the Groundwater Protection Policy to set up pollution prevention measures in areas which are at a higher risk, and to monitor the activities of potential polluters nearby.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/maps/info/groundwater/

SPA

Special Protection Area classified under the EC Wild Birds Directive. The areas are classified for rare and vulnerable birds, listed in Annex I to the Birds Directive, and for regularly occurring migratory species.

SSSI – Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are the best examples of our natural heritage of wildlife habitats, geological features and landforms. An SSSI is an area that has been notified as being of special interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. There are over 4,000 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in England, covering around 7% of the country's land area. Many SSSIs are also SPAs or SACs. Go to http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk/ to see if you are farming close to a SSS

Tir Cynnal

Tir Cynnal is the agri-environment entry level scheme for Wales. Farmers who join this scheme must protect the important environmental areas and features on their land. It is a 10 year scheme. Although participation is voluntary but once farmers enter the scheme agreements must run for a minimum for 5 years after which they will have the option of continuing for the full 10 years. Tir Cynnal is a whole farm scheme and farmers must agree to enter all of the land within that business over which they have full management control into the scheme and meet the conditions of the scheme. Payments are tiered. http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/farming/agri_env_schemes/tircynnalscheme/?lang=en

Tir Goffal

Tir Gofal is an Agri-environment scheme, available on land farmed throughout Wales, which rewards farmers for caring for the environmental, historical and cultural features on their land. It is designed to support the farming community in protecting the rich heritage of rural Wales and reflects the Welsh Assembly Government`s priorities for sustainable farming, coupled with greater opportunities for public enjoyment of the countryside (through permissive access options). Agreements apply to the whole farm and last for ten years with a break clause after five years. Payments depend on options chosen. http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/farming/agri_env_schemes/tirgofal/?lang=en

VI – Voluntary Initiative

The Voluntary Initiative is a programme of measures, agreed with Government, to minimise the environmental impacts of pesticides. http://www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk

Waste recycling contractor

Visit www.wasterecycling.org.uk or call EA’s agricultural waste help-line 0845 603 3113 to find a waste recycling contractor in your area.

Waste regulations

New agricultural waste regulations affect whether or not you can burn, bury, store, use your waste on the farm or send it elsewhere. They came into force on 15 May 2006, when you needed to stop using your farm tip/dump and burning plastics and other materials. Farmers had until 15 May 2007 to comply with the new rules and to register for any agricultural waste exemptions. Registering is FREE and most exemptions only have to be registered once. If you ordered an exemption pack and haven't filled it in, please do so and return it to the Environment Agency as soon as you can. If you haven't got a pack, you can still get one by calling our dedicated agricultural waste help-line on 0845 603 3113. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/444304/1224648/660279/241420/

Water Framework Directive (WFD)

The Water Framework Directive is the most substantial piece of EC water legislation to date and is designed to improve and integrate the way water bodies are managed throughout Europe. It came into force on 22 December 2000, and was put into UK law (transposed) in 2003. Member States must aim to reach good chemical and ecological status in inland and coastal waters by 2015.

Wild bird seed mixture

Wild bird seed mixture provides cover and feed for small birds, mammals and game throughout the year. Establishing the mixture will provide brood rearing cover in summer and shed seed through the late autumn and winter period for feed. As a rule don't adopt one seed mixture and replicate it across the farm - use different seed mixes for different purposes. See http://www.gct.org.uk/text01.asp?PageId=225