The impact of on-farm mitigation measures for delivering an improved water environment

Abstract

This project investigated the effectiveness of on-farm mitigation measures for reducing nitrates, phosphates, sediment, pathogens and pesticides in water. The outputs include a systematic review, searchable systematic map database and a policy summary document.

Description

Agriculture has intensified over the last 50 years resulting in increased usage of fertilisers and agrochemicals. In Europe, this has resulted in declines in water quality. European member states have a policy commitment to tackle water pollution through the European Water Framework Directive. This project investigated the effectiveness of the following on-farm mitigation measures to reduce nitrates, phosphates, sediment, pathogens and pesticides in water: slurry storage/timing of application of slurry, cover/catch crops, woodland creation, controlled trafficking/break-up of compacted layers and buffer strips.

Funded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) under Defra work order WT0965.

Please follow the links for the systematic map, systematic review and policy distillation.

This project forms part of the work carried out by the Centre for Evidence-Based Agriculture based at Harper Adams University.