Environment Agency publishes updated permit guidance for intensive farms

The Environment Agency has published a new version of its guidance for intensive farms on complying with permit rules.

The guidance, which can be viewed here, has changed from a PDF document and 11 PDF appendices to pages on the government website. It is divided into four sections on management, operations, emissions and monitoring and information, with efforts made to update the style in order to be clearer on what is required.

The agency said the new format enables it to update guidance easily in response to any relevant changes.

The revised guidance updates the 2010 version of ‘How to comply’ and incorporates the Best Available Techniques (BAT) Conclusions.

It links to two other pieces of generic guidance for permitted sites about management system and emissions, which the agency says must be followed in addition to the farming guidance.

It also references legislation that has been introduced since the previous guidance was published, especially the Farming rules for water.

Information from the 2010 appendices on dust, odour and noise has been incorporated into the guidance as example of measures to include in a dust/odour/noise management plan. The AHDB model templates are still available as examples of the various plans and reports that are required, including odour, noise and dust management plans.

‘For the moment’, compliance will continue be assessed during farm inspections through the existing inspection form, the agency added.