Reducing diffuse pollution on farms

The Soil Association and Bristol Avon Rivers Trust invite you to join us for a free lunchtime webinar to discuss practical ways to reduce diffuse pollution from farms, along with tips on what grants and support is available.

Our expert panel includes:

• Jerry Alford, Farming Advisor - Soil Association
• Robert Bamford, Senior Farm Advisor - BART
• David Cliffe, Independent Environmental Consultant
• Paula Sage, Senior Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer, Wessex Area - Natural England

Agenda

1pm - Introduction

1.05pm - Paula Sage - Examples of practical interventions on farm to reduce diffuse pollution and relevant legislation

1.20pm - David Cliffe - Nutrient management and the different tools available to farmers

1.35pm - Jerry Alford - Grants and funding inc. SFI

1.45pm - Robert Bamford - Farm Clusters, Upstream Thinking and landscape scale approaches

1.55pm - Audience Q&A

2.15pm - Close

We encourage attendees to bring their questions to the panel through the Q&A, where there will be plenty of time for discussion. Whether you're an experienced farmer or exploring new approaches, this session offers insights you can take straight back to your system.

One of the schemes being highlighted in this session is Upstream Thinking. Upstream Thinking (UST) is a catchment-scale scheme, launched in 2010 by South West Water, funding work that improves water quality and supply. UST4 is the latest stage (2025-2030) of the programme, delivering across the south west, from Cornwall to Avon via collaboration between South West Water, Bristol Water and a range of Delivery Partners including BART River Services Ltd. UST4 aims to prevent potential sources of pollution from entering water courses, thus reducing the level of treatment, chemicals and energy required, to deliver clean and safe drinking water. Farm advisers from BART River Services Ltd are able to provide free site visits and advice on a range of topics including nutrient and slurry management, soil health and management, water friendly farming practices and nature/biodiversity enhancements.