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Racehorse industry pollution advisory project The Environment Agency, with the support of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, National Trainers’ Federation and the Lambourn Trainers’ Association has launched a stable waste advice campaign in the Berkshire Downs, which is being run by ADAS on behalf of the Environment Agency, writes Geoff Fairfoull of ADAS. The number of incidents involving the storage, spreading and burning of manure in this area is causing concerns for the Environment Agency, the local authority and the fire service. To address these concerns, stables and studs in the area have been posted advice that aims to help them do their bit to prevent nutrient pollution from yards and manure heaps. Further to the postal campaign a workshop was run by ADAS in Lambourn to provide information and advice on pollution prevention, including the issue of sediment run off from gallops and walkways entering local streams. Delegates at the workshop learnt that the storage of large quantities of manure can have
a serious impact on the environment. If it is not stored correctly, liquid run-off can pollute local streams and groundwater. Best practice is for run-off from concrete storage areas to be contained, and for field heaps to be sited at least 10m from streams or ditches, and at least 50m from boreholes, wells or springs. Field heaps should also avoid land where there are field drains, or which is prone to flooding or waterlogging. The sensitivity of groundwater to pollution can vary, so stables in the Berkshire Downs have been advised on how soil type and depth to groundwater on their land can be considered when choosing the best site for field heaps. Delegates learnt when manure is legally classed as waste. Horse manure is not considered a waste if it is a mixture of faeces and plant tissue based bedding material (e.g. straw, hemp or woodchip/shavings from virgin timber), and is to be used as a soil fertiliser on land, with only the amount required for this
being stored. However, horse manure is waste and subject to regulatory controls when the bedding material is any non-plant tissue based bedding material. This includes shredded paper and cardboard or shavings and sawdust from nonvirgin trees. It is also waste if it is going to be actively composted, is being stored pending composting, or is contaminated or infectious due to a disease outbreak. Disposal by burning is an illegal waste activity. Within the Berkshire Downs, ADAS is available to provide free advice until the end of February 2012. Please get in touch via geoffrey.fairfoull@adas.co.uk. Studs and stables across the country can find out more about how to protect their local environment and comply with waste regulations by contacting the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506, and looking out for forthcoming guidance on its website www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
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