A farm environment plan will ensure that all farm businesses have in place essential soil and water protection management measures. These will underpin a basic and universal minimum level of protection for soil and water resources. A farm environment plan will help farm businesses to fulfil many of the relevant requirements of supermarket assurance schemes.
How to record the information needed for farm planning
The Department of the Environment has produced a number of templates to assist with the recording and reporting that is necessary for compliance with subsidy requirements. The templates can also be used by farmers who wish to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of various supermarket assurance schemes.
Using States of Jersey templates
Using these templates is not compulsory - many farmers will have their own recording systems in place. The important thing is that farmers record and use the right information to make good environmental and agronomic management decisions.
Components of the farm environment plan
Water pollution contingency plan
Having a water pollution contingency plan is a requirement:
- under the 'water code'
- for those in receipt of farming subsidies
- for many supermarket assurance schemes
Template for water pollution contingency plan
Nutrient management plan
Having a nutrient management plan:
- will help to demonstrate compliance with the 'water code'
- will help farmers save money by utilising the nutrients in organic manures and applying the correct levels of nutrients to the crop
- is being introduced for those in receipt of farming subsidies
- is required by many supermarket assurance schemes
Template nutrient management plan
Soil protection review
Having a soil protection plan and / or policy:
- will prepare farmers to demonstrate compliance with the 'soil code'
- is being introduced for those in receipt of farming subsidies
- is required by many supermarket assurance scheme
- may also mitigate against insurance claims for mud on roads, third party flooding etc
Template for soil protection plan
Pesticide recording
Most supermarket assured produce schemes require comprehensive reporting on pesticide use over and above that required by the States of Jersey for subsidy receipt. The assured produce scheme reporting / template may therefore be used to fulfil this component of the farm environment plan. For those farmers who do not belong to an assured produce scheme the following template may be used.
Template for pesticide recording
Farm manure plan
A farm manure plan is required for those claiming farming subsidies and carrying out any of the following activities:
- keeping livestock
- importing organic manures or composts onto their farm
- using sewage sludge on their land
- allowing other farmers / growers to apply organic wastes to the land they farm
The plan will need updating annually if fields have been lost or added since the last farm manure and waste management plan was produced.
Template for farm manure plan
Waste management plan
The production of and adherence to a waste management plan is also required for the receipt of farm subsidy payments.
Template for waste management plan
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