Pork: Everything you need to know about environmental permitting regulations (EPR)

This week’s guests:
Zanita Markham, AHDB Knowledge Transfer Manager
Mella Waitt, Environment Agency
Alison Frogley, Environment Agency

Since 2007, the Environment Agency has regulated large intensive farming installations under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR), formerly referred to as IPPC, and today (January 2021), there are 225 pig farms permitted in England. 

In 2017, a new Best Available Techniques Reference Document (BREF) was released which included a series of Best Available Techniques (BAT) Conclusions. 

These BAT Conclusions come into force for all permitted farms on 21 February 2021. The BAT Conclusions are the techniques to prevent or, where this is not practicable, reduce emissions from pig and poultry farms.

 

In this episode, we hear about the EPR application process, find out where to go for information specific to your site, and find out more about the changes being introduced through the BAT Conclusions. 

Useful links

Completing an application
Use this information to help complete an EPR application when planning new pig housing or slurry storage facilities.
https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/environmental-permitting-regulations 

Intensive farming environmental permitting guidance
How to comply with your environmental permit, IPPC noise management and example EPR application forms.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/intensive-farming-introduction-and-chapters 

Pre-application advice form, including heritage and nature conservation screening
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-permit-pre-application-advice-form 

Environmental permitting charging scheme
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-permitting-charging-scheme-2019

Intensive farming risk assessment for your environmental permit
What you must do to carry out a risk assessment if you're a farmer applying for a bespoke permit for intensive farming.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/intensive-farming-risk-assessment-for-your-environmental-permit

Farming rules for water
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/farming-rules-for-water-in-england

Storing silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil (SSAFO)
Rules you must follow, who’s responsible and when to notify the Environment Agency.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/storing-silage-slurry-and-agricultural-fuel-oil

Find your local Environment Agency officer
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506

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