Defra

EM1 Soil management plan

A soil management plan should set out how you will manage the land to reduce the risk of erosion and maintain good soil structure. Please see appendix 1 for information on how to obtain further advice on controlling soil erosion and the best farming practice. You may also wish to consider the ELS land management Options to Protect Soils (introductory guidance and management requirements for these options).

A soil management plan must be documented and include the following steps:

• Obtain and read the relevant Defra publications on controlling run-off and erosion (see appendix 1 for details). In addition you may wish to refer to the Environment Agency publications also listed, and to the Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) Audit at www.leafuk.org
• Using the Defra field guide (available from Defra publications, see appendix 1) or the advice of a consultant, prepare an assessment of the risks of run-off and erosion for your whole farm. Produce a map showing the risk class for each field or part-field.
• Record on a field-by-field basis the steps you will take during the coming year to minimise the risk of run-off and soil erosion, including how you will manage the soil to ensure good structure and maintain the infiltration of rainfall.
• Repeat the field-by-field assessment each year incorporating the experiences of previous years.

EM1, 3 points per ha. This must be based on the area of land excluding unimproved land (as identified on your Farm Environment Record).

EM2 Nutrient management plan

A nutrient management plan should take into account all sources of nutrient supply as well as soil nutrient status and the influence of soil type, rainfall and irrigation. The plan should follow a recognised fertiliser recommendation system (see appendix 1 for suggested guidance) and should be prepared in conjunction with a FACTS (Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme) qualified person. A nutrient management plan must be documented and include the following steps:

• Maintain an up-to-date soil analysis. Soils must be analysed for pH, P, K, and Mg every three to five years, depending on the cropping system. Use the results to adjust inputs of lime and phosphate, potash and magnesium nutrients.
• Assess the nutrient requirement of the crop using a recognised fertiliser recommendation system.
• Assess the nutrient supply from organic manures (see appendix 2 for suggested guidance).
• Calculate the need for fertiliser nutrients by deducting the contribution from organic manures from the crop nutrient requirement.
• Spread organic manures and fertilisers as accurately and uniformly as possible. Equipment should be in good working order and recently calibrated.
• Keep clear field records of cropping, organic manure and fertiliser applications. This will aid future decisions on nutrient management and demonstrate the practical outcome of the plan.
• Update the plan at the start of each cropping year.

A nutrient management plan completed for other schemes (such as a farm assurance scheme or LEAF) will count as a nutrient management plan under this option, providing it includes all the steps described above.

EM2, 2 points per ha. This must be based on the area of land which receives inputs of manure and/or fertilisers.

EM3 Manure management plan

This option is only available on farms where manures are spread. A manure management plan should include the preparation of a field risk map (risk of causing water pollution) and an assessment of the need for any extra slurry or dirty water storage. You can either draw up your own plan or obtain professional advice from a consultant (see appendix 1 for suggested guidance).

A manure management plan must be documented and include the following steps:

• Identify areas where animal manures should never be spread. These non-spreading areas must be marked on a farm map (in red).
• Identify areas where animal manures should not be spread under certain conditions or where application rates should be restricted. These very high-risk areas (orange) and high-risk areas (yellow) must be marked on a farm map. The remaining areas must be marked as lower risk (green). Identify on the map any areas in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones affected by the closed (non-spreading) periods.
• Calculate the minimum area of land needed for spreading animal manures. The maximum field application of total nitrogen from spread manures must be limited to 250 kg per ha per year.
• Identify the area of land that may be used for spreading sewage sludge or other organic wastes. This step is not required if these materials are not brought on to the farm.
• Assess whether extra storage is needed for slurry or dirty water. Use the risk map (coloured map) and your experience of spreading over the winter period to identify whether extra storage is needed to minimise the risk of causing water pollution.
• Update the risk map if you take on extra land.
• Update the storage assessment if slurry or dirty water production increases.
• Use the plan to help you with field spreading and minimise the risk of causing pollution.

A manure management plan completed for other schemes (such as a farm assurance scheme or LEAF) will count as a manure management plan under this option, providing it includes all the requirements described above.

EM3, 2 points per ha. This must be based on the area of land excluding unimproved land (as identified on your Farm Environment Record).

EM4 Crop protection management plan

Land registered as 'organic' or 'in conversion' is not eligible. The crop protection management plan must be documented and must include the following steps:

• Produce your plan in conjunction with a qualified BASIS agronomist.
• Ensure your plan is site-specific and is updated annually.
• Make full use of all biological, cultural and chemical methods that can be economically and practically implemented on your farm.
• Consider farm location, soil type, previous cropping, rotations and any pesticide resistance issues. This can help you anticipate and predict potential problems.
• Adopt non-chemical control options whenever economic or practical. Include the use of rotations, cultivations and resistant varieties and encourage natural predators by incorporating beetle banks and field margins.
• Inspect crops regularly and identify weeds, pests and diseases. Cultural and/or chemical techniques should be used and the environmental impact of each choice assessed.
• Select a pesticide that effectively controls weeds, pests or diseases. The chosen pesticide should minimise impacts on crop pest predators and non-target organisms. Neighbouring crops, wildlife habitats and watercourses should be taken into account before finalising pesticide choice.
• Minimise environmental impact by spraying under optimum conditions. Avoid field margins and watercourses and minimise spray drift. Always leave hedge bottoms unsprayed. Where appropriate, undertake a Local Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides (LERAPS).
• Keep accurate records. These must include the justification for a particular course of action.
• Regularly maintain all spray machinery in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
• Store pesticides in accordance with the Green Code (available from Defra Publications, PB 3528) and Health and Safety Executive requirements.
• Dispose of any surplus pesticide waste and containers in a responsible manner so as not to contaminate the environment.

See appendix 1 for suggested guidance publications.

A crop protection management plan completed for other schemes (such as a farm assurance scheme or LEAF) will count as a crop protection management plan under this option, providing it includes all the requirements described above.

EM4, 2 points per ha. This must be based on the field area growing all annual crops other than grassland.