PA061/A/07 Time Is Running Out To Have Your Say On The New 'Code of Good Agricultural Practice'
22 February 2007
Alan Morrow, Countryside Management Branch, DARD
The consultation period for the draft revised ‘Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution of Water, Air and Soil’ is coming to an end. The document was published by DARD in December 2006. All comments on the draft Code must be received by Monday 12 March 2007.
The Code has been revised to provide assistance in the form of a practical guide for farmers, growers, contractors and others involved in farming activities. It describes some of the management practices that can be adopted to minimise the risk of pollution of water, air and soil and takes account of recent changes in EU legislation. The production and promotion of this Code is an EU requirement and it contains a number of mandatory elements.
The revised Code contains detailed guidance on a wide range of farm related environmental issues. These include the storage and application of slurry and livestock manures, the efficient use of nutrients on the farm and the disposal of farm plastic. It also provides a list of useful contacts and other sources of information.
As part of the public consultation, consideration will be given to the production of a summary version containing the key elements of the Code, with a view to issuing this to all farm businesses.
If you wish to receive a copy of this consultation document you can contact DARD in a number of ways:
- By writing to: Countryside Management Branch, Lindesay Hall, Loughry Campus, Cookstown, BT80 9AA
- Telephone: (028) 8675 7507
- Fax: (028) 8675 7511
- E-mail: cmbenquiries@dardni.gov.uk
- Visit the DARD website www.dardni.gov.uk It is also available on the Northern Ireland Departments’ Consultation Register at www.consultationni.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
All media queries to DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619.
