Beef & Lamb Standards
ENVIRONMENT Version 5.0 (modified)
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Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)
Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification
New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to
Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before
Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard
Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.
L.EC.1 Key
Potential pollutants must be stored in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution to crops, feedstuffs, animals, soils, groundwater and watercourses
L.EC.1.1 Key
Organic manures must be stored in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution to crops, feedstuffs, animals, soils, groundwater and watercourses
Documented slurry storage requirement calculation
L.EC.1.2 Key
Silage must be stored in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution
L.EC.1.3
Slurry pits/lagoons must be fenced for animal and personnel safety
L.EC.2
In the case of packaging breakages potential pollutants must be transferred to a suitable container
L.EC.3
Nitrogen based fertilisers must be stored in a way that minimises the risk of theft
L.EC.4 Key
PPPs must be appropriate for their intended use
L.EC.5 Key
PPPs must be applied in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution
L.EC.6
PPP application must be undertaken by competent operators
NPTC/Lantra certificates
L.EC.7
All PPP application equipment must be maintained and tested
- NSTS Certificates
- Calibration records
L.EC.8
Records must be kept of all PPP applications
PPP application records
L.EC.8.1
It is recommended where PPPs are used on crops an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan is completed
IPM plan
L.EC.9 Key
Manufactured fertilisers and organic manures must be applied in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution
- Exemptions/permits
- Manure Management Plan (or records detailing required information)
L.EC.10
All manufactured fertiliser application equipment must be maintained and calibrated at least annually
Calibration record
L.EC.11 Key
All wastes which cannot be utilised are disposed of in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution
- Waste transfer notes
- Waste carrier name and registration number
L.EC.12
Waste sheep dip must be dealt with in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution
- HSE guidance on storing pesticides for farmers and other professional users: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais16.pdf
- AHDB guidance on slurry storage: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/slurry-and-manure
- GB authorised biocidal products (including rodenticides):
https://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/uk-authorised-biocidal-products.htm - Environment Agency resource efficiency and waste – key actions for farmers: https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Pork/Documents/Key%20Actions%20for%20Farmers_Resource%20Efficiency%20and%20Waste.pdf
- For information on the importance of fertiliser security, visit: www.secureyourfertiliser.gov.uk
- For a list of approved pesticides, visit: www.pesticides.gov.uk
- Information on sprayer certificates of competency can be found at: www.cityandguilds.com
- Details of NSTS approved test centres can be found at: www.nsts.org.uk
- Nutrient Management Guide (RB209): https://ahdb.org.uk/nutrient-management-guide-rb209
- Public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers (England):
https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers - Public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers (Northern Ireland):
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/registered-waste-carriers-transporters - Public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers (Scotland): https://www2.sepa.org.uk/wastecarriers
- Public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers (Wales):
https://naturalresources.wales/permits-and-permissions/waste-carriers-brokers-and-dealers-public-register/?lang=en - Protecting our water, soil and air – GOV.UK: (www.gov.uk)
More Standards
Download Beef & Lamb Standards Manual
Download the changes to Beef & Lamb Standards from 1 February 2025
- EC.1 – Potential pollutants include but not limited to, PPPs*, manufactured fertilisers, fuel oil, empty containers, disinfectants, rodenticides, dairy chemicals, sheep dip
*PPPs are defined as any product with a current MAPP number - EC.1.1 – Watercourse = includes, water courses (ditches, streams, rivers), ponds, lakes, reservoirs, canals, estuaries, coastline
Organic manure = livestock manures, sewage sludge/ biosolids, compost, digestates, organic industrial wastes
Risk factors which could lead to runoff, which should be taken into account are: slope (especially if greater than 12 degrees), ground cover, proximity to watercourses or wetlands, weather conditions and forecasts, soil type and condition, presence and condition of land drains - EC.10 – Annual field calibration and records are acceptable
- EC.11 – In order to transport your own waste you must be registered (free of charge) as a low tier waste carrier: https://www.gov.uk/register-renew-waste-carrier-broker-dealer-england
Opportunities are considered for:
– reducing the production of waste
– reusing waste (where appropriate)
– recycling waste, plastics in particular
