Disposing of Soil – Where?
Keith Johnston, Countryside Management Branch, DARD
The construction of new farmyard facilities will often result in the need to dispose of either soil or hardcore. If disposed of properly this material often serves a useful purpose in improving access to a gateway or levelling a small hollow in a field. Cross-Compliance requires that this material is disposed of in a manner, which has little or no negative effect on our countryside.
Improved/Cultivated Land
Cross-Compliance permission is not normally required for the disposal of small quantities of soil or hardcore which have been generated on a farm providing it can be disposed of on improved/cultivated farmland and it is incorporated into the field by levelling and reseeding as soon as possible after dumping, for example, stoning around gateways or filling a small hollow in a field.
Cross-Compliance permission is not normally required for the disposal of small quantities of soil or hardcore which have been generated on a farm providing it can be disposed of on improved/cultivated farmland and it is incorporated into the field by levelling and reseeding as soon as possible after dumping, for example, stoning around gateways or filling a small hollow in a field.
However disposal on farm of soil and hardcore which originates from off farm development will generally require the grant of planning permission from DOE Planning Service. In circumstances where you are unsure about whether or not planning permission is required you should contact DOE Planning Service at Millennium House, 17-25 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7BN for site specific advice (028) 9041 6880.
Uncultivated Land
Cross-Compliance requires that all uncultivated land and semi-natural habitats (woodland, scrub, moorland, wetlands and species-rich grassland) are retained and dumping is prohibited in these areas. Farmers must not undertake new drainage works, ploughing, clearing, levelling, reseeding or cultivations on uncultivated land or semi-natural habitats without prior approval from DARD. For further information contact DARD Agri-Environment Scheme Management Branch (028) 8676 8192.
Cross-Compliance requires that all uncultivated land and semi-natural habitats (woodland, scrub, moorland, wetlands and species-rich grassland) are retained and dumping is prohibited in these areas. Farmers must not undertake new drainage works, ploughing, clearing, levelling, reseeding or cultivations on uncultivated land or semi-natural habitats without prior approval from DARD. For further information contact DARD Agri-Environment Scheme Management Branch (028) 8676 8192.
EHS Waste Authorisations
A waste management authorisation is not required when disposing of soil or clay produced during construction of agricultural buildings, including slurry tanks on your own farm. However, if the material cannot be disposed of on your own farm, you must ensure that the location receiving the waste has an appropriate authorisation for waste management. Although not a requirement of Cross- Compliance a landowner receiving clay or soil from outside their own farm business, must obtain the appropriate waste management authorisation.
A waste management authorisation is not required when disposing of soil or clay produced during construction of agricultural buildings, including slurry tanks on your own farm. However, if the material cannot be disposed of on your own farm, you must ensure that the location receiving the waste has an appropriate authorisation for waste management. Although not a requirement of Cross- Compliance a landowner receiving clay or soil from outside their own farm business, must obtain the appropriate waste management authorisation.
Disposing of hardcore/building rubble on your farm when demolishing old agricultural buildings on your own farm, will require an agricultural waste exemption. For further information on agricultural waste exemptions or waste management authorisations contact the EHS Land and Resource Management Unit (028) 9056 9361.
Further information on Cross-Compliance can be obtained by contacting Countryside Management Branch at your local DARD office.
