Intensive Agriculture
Intensive Agriculture
The Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) [formally the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive] aims to reduce pollution from industrial activity by controlling emissions. Indoor pig keepers with more than 2000 finishing pig places (above 30 kg) or 750 sow places (including served gilts) at a site are required to obtain a permit from the Environment Agency (EA) with an annual renewal charge.
The EPR, implemented through national regulation, requires permitted sites to adopt minimum standards of management practise and Best Available Techniques (BAT) for their production processes; this involves keeping records and regularly reviewing the use of raw materials, inputs such as animal feed, water and electricity, as well as using techniques such as housing systems and manure spreading equipment which minimise emissions produced.
During 2007, Pollution Prevention and Control Permits (PPC) were replaced by Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) Permits. The format of the permits did not alter, although the application, variation and surrender forms did. The change was to enable standardisation across a number of permitting regimes regulated by the EA including PPC and Waste Management.
Please see guidance oh how to comply. Click here.
BPEX Model Templates which correspond to the new Environment Agency Forms version B3.5 will be available shortly and can be obtained by contacting the Environment team at the following email address: [email protected]
For more information on EPR please follow the Environment Agency link by clicking here.
BPEX Summary Notes of Key Environmental Legislation With Implications for the UK Pig Industry (May 10)
EC Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC)
NPA, Pig World and the Environment Agency have joined forces to create a Stop Press page. It is designed to be the first port of call for pig industry IPPC permit-holders to check out any new developments. In particular it will provide links to new and updated material on the Environment Agency’s website. To visit the web page click here.
Annually all permit holders are required to submit by the end of February their Pollution Inventory return. Guidance for this process can be found by clicking here.
Environment Agency Position Statement – Inclusion of gilts in intensive farming regulation
How to comply with your environmental permit (June 13)
How to apply for a Variation application form
This above link contains the following factsheets which we have written to help you prepare your EPR application:
Factsheet 2 – Producing Site Layout and Access Details (Site Plan A)
Factsheet 3 – Producing a Site Drainage Plan (Site Plan B)
Factsheet 4 – Producing an Accident Management Plan (Site Plan C)
Factsheet 5 – Producing a Manure Management Plan
