Andrew Penton/Chris Kaighin Environment Agency, UK Diffuse Pollution from Agriculture in the Ribble PRB - Indicators and Measures Andrew Penton/Chris Kaighin Environment Agency, UK

Indicators of DWPA in the Ribble

Farmers’ responses to decoupling 85% have claimed Single Payment Of those claiming Single Payment: NPK 45% 3% Livestock numbers 22% 14% Winter sown crops 6% 3% No effect/no difference 32% Source: Ribble farmers and DWPA , EA phone survey of 300 farmers Nov 2005

Farmers’ Perceptions of Diffuse Pollution Acknowledged that agriculture was the main source of nutrients in water… High percentage of farmers used organic manure… Farmers are aware of pesticides concerns… Source: Farmers & Diffuse Pollution, EA phone survey of 450 farmers Dec 2004 Ribble farmers and DWPA , EA phone survey of 300 farmers Nov 2005 but most have taken measures (52% in Ribble ) and think problem  but most could not give an application rate. but 40% have taken no measures to reduce pesticides in waters.

Farmers’ Perceptions of Diffuse Pollution Soil erosion was not seen as a widespread issue… Entry Level Scheme is widely known about… Farmers go to Defra, Environment Agency and National Farmers Union for environmental advice. Source: Farmers & Diffuse Pollution, EA phone survey of 450 farmers Dec 2004 Ribble farmers and DWPA , EA phone survey of 300 farmers Nov 2005 3/4 (70% in Ribble) stated soil erosion was not a problem on their farm. and most indicated that they would sign up to variety of measures including resource protection. In Ribble Defra the most quoted organisation 35%

Land Cover Source: LCM2000

IACS registered Maize fields and slope Maize registered crops from IACS Coincident RLR parcels extracted Avge slope extracted for RLR parcels Relatively small amount of Maize cropping, majority on flat land Detailed view of RLR Maize fields and slope

Riparian zone vegetation Indicator of influence of agriculture on Riparian zone ecological status using River Habitat Survey data from 1997 - 2001 Good 1. >67% of combined bankface and banktop vegetation spotchecks recorded as Simple ( 2 or 3 vegetation types ) or Complex ( 4 or more vegetation types) 2. >50% of 5m landuse spotchecks recorded as semi-natural vegetation (woodland, scrub, wetland, moorland, tall herbs or rough grassland) Bad 1. >80% of combined bankface and banktop vegetation spotchecks recorded as uniform (1 vegetation type) or Bare (bare earth or rock) 2. >67% of 5m landuse spotchecks recorded as Tilled land, Intensive grassland or Suburban.

Riparian zone vegetation indicator - geographical coverage

Riparian zone vegetation

Measures to address DWPA in the Ribble

% area in AE management 8.5 % total AE 2.5% AE with  NPK 0.8% RP options

Fertiliser reductions due to Agri-environment management of grasslands in the Ribble 2004 * source: British Survey of Fertiliser Practice

Fertiliser reductions due to Agri-environment management of arable land in the Ribble 2004 * source: British Survey of Fertiliser Practice

Option types selected in 43 ELS agreements Ribble PRB Area Sept 2005

Management Plans in 43 ELS agreements Ribble PRB Area Sept 2005