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| Biodiversity - Best Practice |
Best Practice for protecting biodiversity
Conservation is the responsibility of everyone. A huge variety of living organisms live on farmland but only a very few are damaging pest species. Many of the remainder are beneficial. Modern farming systems have gradually reduced the habitat for wildlife with the result that some species are declining in number. It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that, in controlling the harmful minority, we do so with the minimum impact on the natural environment.
The notes below cover six aspects:
General, Principles,
Before Spraying, When Spraying and
What to do at a field margin. This is summarised in the Best Practice Guide - Pesticides and Conservation
General
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Remember that set-aside and non-cropped areas are normally the richest wildlife havens on the farm. Aim to keep off these areas with pesticides, especially during the period of greatest activity for non-target species in the spring. Contact herbicides can be used on set-aside – leave as late in the season as possible.
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Do not use herbicides in or near water unless absolutely necessary. Take expert advice and gain authorisation from the appropriate Environment Agency before spraying.
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Take care with the disposal of unwanted spray and sprayer washings. Follow the Codes of Practice. Remember that polluting a watercourse can be a major threat to that environment as well as being legally expensive.
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If relevant, take advantage of Government or industry – funded aid packages designed to help farmers carry out practices that benefit nature and landscape conservation. Examples are the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, payments to those in Environmentally Sensitive Areas, and the Farm Biodiversity Action Plan.
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Whenever in doubt always take professional advice i.e. from your local FWAG.
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Principles
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Plan ahead
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Be aware of conservation areas and opportunities on the farm. Develop a whole-farm plan with a map of key habitats so you can protect them.
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Keep watch on developing pest problems
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Always explore non-chemical control opportunities.
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Avoid becoming totally reliant on chemical control. Integrate other control methods into your farming wherever possible and practise Integrated Crop Management.
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Where chemicals are to be used, plan to use as little as possible but as much as necessary.
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Where possible choose products that have least impact on the surround area such as hedges, water courses and key species of wildlife.
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Follow the Insecticide Guidance
**download booklet or
summary on farmers best practice page.
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Before spraying
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Survey the farm and check past records. Know where the difficult pest problems are likely to occur. Identify areas of special environmental risk (e.g. ponds, hedgerows, woodland and specially designated areas).
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Remember that some areas, for example Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSIs) must by law be protected from possible adverse effects of using pesticides. Consult the appropriate nature conservation agency before you spray.
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Reduce reliance on pesticide usage by careful rotation planning. Choose pest-resistant crop varieties. Consider herbicide tolerant varieties when they become available.
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Consider using seed dressings in preference to spray treatments to reduce risk to soil living beneficial arthropods and aquatic life (nut note the increased risk to wild birds and mammals – see below).
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Ensure the sprayer is regularly maintained and calibrated.
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Ensure the operator is fully conversant with environmental risk areas on the farm and what to do to protect them
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Avoid last-minute panic measures by regular monitoring and recording
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Identify the problem (diagnostic kits for some diseases are available)
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Evaluate the risk (refer to any treatment thresholds) and make a decision about control. Aim to contain the problem at a non-damaging level rather than eliminate it.
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Choose the correct product for the job. If there are special risks, like water courses or domestic gardens, take these into account. If necessary take professional advice from a BASIS qualified advisor.
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Store pesticides on farm in a properly bunded store and create emergency plans for handling accidental spillage. Prevent spillages from entering drains or watercourses. Consider using low-drift techniques.
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When spraying
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If spraying is necessary, act in good time. In all likelihood, it will be possible to use a lower dose.
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Use the appropriate dose. Using too little is as bad as using too much. It is a waste of money and an unnecessary introduction of chemical into the environment.
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Avoid the temptation to achieve total pest control. Identify the damaging pests or weeds and target control measures at them. Leaving a few may be economically wise and provide food for wildlife.
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Avoid spraying when crops or weeds are in flower unless absolutely necessary.
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Notify local beekeepers if flowering crops are to be treated. Spray in early morning or late evening when bees are not working.
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Avoid drift. Keep the spray within the target area by such measures as avoiding windy conditions, reducing boom height, changing nozzles etc.
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Remember that birds and mammals are at particular risk from seed dressed with pesticides and from pesticides in granule or pellet form. Make sure they are incorporated thoroughly; do not leave any spills exposed on the soil surface.
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What to do at the field margin
Because of the high performance of present day pesticides, where 90% pest control is commonly achieved, the main body of the field presents a sparse supply of shelter or food for birds and insects alike. This places a heavy burden on the vegetation at the end of the field and conservation measures must therefore concentrate on enhancing this area as a wildlife haven. Various options exist:
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Shut off the spray boom closest to the field margin when spraying along the edge. (This is a statutory requirement for some insecticides).
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Create a boundary strip (grass or cultivated) at the field edge to avoid the need for spraying close to the edge. This will prevent weed ingress as well as providing a habitat for beneficial insects.
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Use the 5 metres or so of land between the first tramline and the edge of the field as a transition area on which pesticides inputs are selectively reduced (i.e. a conservation headland). (NB. Conservation headlands are not unsprayed areas, but there are restrictions on pesticide use.)
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Whatever system is adopted, never allow spray to drift into hedges, ditches, water courses or lakes and ponds.
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