Guidance

Slurry stores on permitted pig and poultry farms with less than 1% dry matter

Updated 4 November 2020

Applies to England

We are extending the deadline for when farms have to cover slurry stores with less than 1% dry matter from 21 February 2021 to 21 August 2022.

2017 best available techniques (BAT) conditions 16 and 17 state that you must have measures in place by 21 February 2021 to reduce ammonia emissions from slurry stores and lagoons on permitted pig and poultry farms. These measures include covering slurry stores or installing a slurry acidification system.

We have previously allowed operators of permitted pig and poultry farms who can demonstrate that their livestock slurry has a dry matter content of less than 1% to not cover their slurry stores. We withdrew this position in August 2020 because we found no evidence to support its continued use.

However, if you follow the conditions in this regulatory position statement (RPS), you will not have to comply with BAT conditions 16 and 17 until 21 August 2022.

This RPS only applies to:

• operators of permitted pig and poultry farms who have been using our less than 1% dry matter position
• permitted pig and poultry farms that store slurry under BAT definitions

This RPS does not apply to waste water (including wash down water and yard run-off) or solid manure.

This RPS does not apply to any other activity, even if it is under the same legislation. You may still need other permits or licences for other activities you carry out.

Conditions you must comply with

To use this RPS you must:

• contact your local Environment Agency Officer before 30 October 2020 to demonstrate that you need to rely on this RPS
• write an action plan before 21 February 2021 that shows how you will cover your slurry store or install a permitted slurry acidification system (or other technique that achieves the same level of environmental protection) – your action plan must show how you will comply with BAT conditions 16 and 17 by 21 August 2022
• implement your action plan by 21 August 2022
• keep records for 2 years that show you have complied with this RPS – you must make these records available to the Environment Agency on request

We will add an improvement condition to your permit that details these requirements as part of our Industrial Emissions Directive review for the permitted pig and poultry sector.

You must make sure your activities do not endanger human health or the environment. You must not:

• cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
• cause a nuisance through noise or odours
• adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest

Enforcement

An RPS means that the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action against you provided:

• your activity meets the description set out in this RPS
• you comply with the conditions set out in this RPS
• your activity does not, and is not likely to, cause environmental pollution or harm human health

If you operate under this RPS, but think you may no longer be able to comply with its conditions, you must tell the Environment Agency immediately.

The Environment Agency will monitor how operators use and comply with this RPS through its proportionate, risk-based inspection and monitoring activity.

When this RPS expires

This RPS expires on 21 August 2022. By this date you must:

• cover your slurry store(s) according to the BAT conditions
• install a permitted acidification system, or use another technique that achieves the same level of environmental protection

Contact the Environment Agency

General enquiries

National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY

Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

Telephone 03708 506 506

Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) +44 (0) 114 282 5312

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.