RP25: Lined biobed with existing washdown area
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the lined biobed with existing washdown area item.
How much will be paid
£66.24 per square metre.
Where to use this item
Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants.
Only:
- in areas targeted for the reduction of water pollution from agriculture
- with support from a Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) officer
Where this item cannot be used
- within 10m of a watercourse
- within 50m of a spring, borehole or well
- within 250m of a borehole used to supply water for producing domestic food without prior agreement from the Environment Agency (EA)
- on historic or archaeological features or areas of wildlife value identified on the Farm Environment Record (FER), the Environmental Information Map or the HEFER
- without relevant advice, consents or waste management licence from the Environment Agency (EA)
How this item will benefit the environment
A lined biobed will treat the pesticide residues that arise from pesticide handling activities. This will help prevent pesticides from entering drains or water bodies, which will help reduce the risk of water pollution.
Requirements
- meet relevant British Standards - examine copies of the most up-to-date standards for guidance
- meet the requirements of the T32 waste exemption
Biobed
Follow the requirements as set out in RP24 – Lined biobed plus pesticide loading and washdown area under Biobed.
Do not treat more than 15,000 litres of pesticide washings (excluding rainfall) in any 12 month period.
Keeping records
Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them on request:
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
- receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- photographs of site before works start
- documents associated with the exemption for the treatment of waste in a biobed or biofilter (exemption T32), issued by the EA
Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Mid Tier, Higher Tier or Capital Grants guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.
Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:
- photographs of the site during the different stages of construction or contracts, invoices or other documents confirming the technical specification for the completed works
- photographs of the completed works in place and installed
Before applying, applicants must seek advice from the EA and obtain any consent that may be required to carry out the planned work. Applicants must check whether they are in a Groundwater Source Protection Zone 1 area. You do not need to provide this with your application, but you will need to submit consents/permissions with your payment claim. Applicants will have to send the following with their application:
- written support from a CSF officer
Related Mid Tier and Capital Grants items
This item can be used on the same area as RP27 - Sprayer or applicator load and washdown area.
Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item
The following section gives advice on carrying out this item successfully but does not form part of the requirements for this item.
How to choose a location
The biobed should be constructed in an area set aside for pesticide loading and washing operations, and where there is no other traffic.
It can be constructed on the same area as the following features, even though they are ineligible for the Basic Payment Scheme:
- farmyards
- areas of land, or farm buildings, not used for production
How to maintain the biobed
Add a fresh, pre-composted biomix to the biobed every year to maintain 1m depth. Replace the biomix every 5 years. A waste exemption U10 will be required to spread the biomix. Hazardous waste must not be treated in the biobed or biofilter.
What to do with pesticide washings
The pesticide washings collected in the holding tank should be pumped before the tank reaches capacity. Use a pump float switch to dispose of the washings (a T32 exemption will be required for this) or to transfer them to a biobed or biofilter for treatment.
Biodiversity
This item has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.
The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Further information
More information about pesticide handling areas and biobeds, including sizing and volume calculations, is available from the Voluntary Initiative website.
Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) operates in parts of the country where there are water quality issues linked to farming. The scheme provides farmers with free advice and training. See guidance for further information on CSF support
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.
Last updated 9 February 2021 + show all updates
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Added in links to Capital Grants manual as this option is now available for Capital Grants
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Updated for 2017 applications.
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Information updated for applications in 2016
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First published.