243: Pork: Everything you need to know about environmental permitting regulations (EPR)

This week’s guests: Zanita Markham, AHDB Knowledge Transfer Manager Mella Waitt, Environment Agency Alison Frogley, Environment Agency Since 2007, the Environment Agency has regulated large intensive farming installations under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR), formerly referred to as IPPC, and today (January 2021), there are 225 pig farms permitted in England.  In 2017, a new Best Available Techniques Reference Document (BREF) was released which included a series of Best Available Techniques (BAT) Conclusions.  These BAT Conclusions come into force for all permitted farms on 21 February 2021. The BAT Conclusions are the techniques to prevent or, where this is not practicable, reduce emissions from pig and poultry farms.   In this episode, we hear about the EPR application process, find out where to go for information specific to your site, and find out more about the changes being introduced through the BAT Conclusions.  Useful links Completing an application Use this information to help complete an EPR application when planning new pig housing or slurry storage facilities. https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/environmental-permitting-regulations  Intensive farming environmental permitting guidance How to comply with your environmental permit, IPPC noise management and example EPR application forms. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/intensive-farming-introduction-and-chapters  Pre-application advice form, including heritage and nature conservation screening https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-permit-pre-application-advice-form  Environmental permitting charging scheme https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-permitting-charging-scheme-2019 Intensive farming risk assessment for your environmental permit What you must do to carry out a risk assessment if you're a farmer applying for a bespoke permit for intensive farming. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/intensive-farming-risk-assessment-for-your-environmental-permit Farming rules for water https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/farming-rules-for-water-in-england Storing silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil (SSAFO) Rules you must follow, who’s responsible and when to notify the Environment Agency. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/storing-silage-slurry-and-agricultural-fuel-oil Find your local Environment Agency officer PO Box 544 Rotherham S60 1BY Email: [email protected] Telephone: 03708 506 506 Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis.