Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) means managing land in a way which keeps emissions to water to levels which are consistent with the ecological requirements of water bodies. The principal driver for this currently is the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Defra launched the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI) in April 2006, this is a two year funded programme of works that aims to bring about changes in behaviour to try to tackle diffuse water pollution from agriculture using voluntary measures such as one to one advice and workshops in 40 priority catchments in England. In addition, a capital grant of up to £10,000 per farm is available for farmers and growers within these catchments, and which can be applied for until June 2007 and which will contribute towards the costs of a number of items to reduce pollution. These include rainwater storage tanks, separating clean and dirty water and biobeds.

In addition to supportive measures within the Delivery Initiative, the CSF team in Defra is also looking at economic instruments and the greater use of regulatory powers to address diffuse water pollution from agriculture. These are expected to be consulted on publicly during Summer 2007. Measures to deliver CSF therefore may not be limited to voluntary measures, and whilst the NFU supports the Delivery Initiative approach, we reserve judgement on other approaches. We would like to encourage all farmers to be engaged with the ECSFDI which is voluntary to demonstrate what can be achieved with these kind of measures.

To help farmers and growers to do this, the said that Andrew Critchlow (Ex-NFU Council and Derbyshire NFU Chairman) is taking up a post of ‘critical friend’ within Natural England’s ECSFDI. The post is a nine month appointment, jointly steered by NFU and Natural England which started in early April. Andrew’s role is to ensure effective engagement of farmers in the priority catchments and undertaking the role of ‘troubleshooter’ to ensure that best practice is shared so that this voluntary scheme gives good support to the farming community.

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