Pigs Standards

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ENVIRONMENT Version 5.1 (modified)

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PG.EC.1 PG.EC.1.1 PG.EC.1.2 PG.EC.1.3 PG.EC.2 PG.EC.4 PG.EC.5 PG.EC.6 PG.EC.7 PG.EC.8 PG.EC.8.1 PG.EC.9 PG.EC.10 PG.EC.11 PG.EC.12

Glossary

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.

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AIM: Potential pollutants are correctly handled, applied and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and pollution

PG.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

How you will be measured

PG.EC.1.a

Fuel tanks are bunded where required by legislation (see Appendix)

PG.EC.1.b

Agrochemicals are kept in a well-maintained store which allows for containment of any spillages

PG.EC.1.c

Manufactured fertiliser is stored on a hard, dry surface

PG.EC.1.d

Fertilisers that pose a combustion or oxidiser hazard are stored in accordance with the Safety Data Sheet

PG.EC.1.e

Liquid feed is contained. Storage tanks, drums and containers are bunded or sited in such a way that any spillage cannot enter any clean drainage system.

PG.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

How you will be measured

PG.EC.1.1.a

Organic manures (not including storage within a building) are not stored: - within 10m of inland freshwaters or coastal waters - within 50m of a spring, well or borehole - where there is significant risk of runoff entering watercourses

PG.EC.1.1.b

Manure heap (not including field heaps) effluent runoff does not enter a watercourse, either directly or through land drains, roads, tracks or other pathways

PG.EC.1.1.c

Where manure is stored in temporary field heaps, these must be moved at least every 12 months

PG.EC.1.1.d

Slurry tanks, reception pits, pipes and channels are impermeable

PG.EC.1.1.e

Above ground slurry stores with a pipe for emptying are fitted with at least two functioning valves (one of which can be the nozzle), locked when not in use.

PG.EC.1.1.f

Reception pits can hold 48 hours' production including likely rainfall on all surfaces draining into the pit

PG.EC.1.1.g

The combined available capacity of slurry tanks, pits, compounds and lagoons have sufficient capacity for slurry storage of: - at least 4 months in non-NVZ areas (England) - at least 6 months in NVZ areas (England) - at least 26 weeks in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

PG.EC.1.1.h

There is a documented up-to-date calculation of slurry storage requirements

Documented slurry storage requirement calculation

AIM: No chemical or physical contamination, pollution or spread of disease from any potential contaminants or wastes

PG.EC.1.2 Key

Silage must be stored in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution

How you will be measured

PG.EC.1.2.a

Silage is made and stored at least 10m from watercourses and at least 50m from springs, wells and boreholes.

PG.EC.1.2.b

Silos have an effluent collection system

PG.EC.1.2.c

Effluent from baled silage does not leak into water source

PG.EC.1.2.d

Field silage effluent is contained

PG.EC.1.3

Slurry pits/lagoons must be fenced for animal and personnel safety

PG.EC.2

In the case of packaging breakages potential pollutants must be transferred to a suitable container

How you will be measured

PG.EC.2.a

Container has an appropriate safe closure cap or bag tie

PG.EC.2.b

The original label information is displayed

AIM: Potential pollutants are correctly handled, applied and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and pollution

PG.EC.4 Key

PPPs must be appropriate for their intended use

How you will be measured

PG.EC.4.a

Manufacturer’s instructions are followed

PG.EC.4.b

PPPs are approved for use

PG.EC.4.c

Unapproved product is kept in a segregated area of the pesticide store, pending collection for disposal at the earliest opportunity; clearly marked with signs/labels stating that it must not be used

PG.EC.5 Key

PPPs must be applied in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution

How you will be measured

PG.EC.5.a

PPP application does not occur in areas of high pollution risk, as identified on farm map

PG.EC.5.b

PPP application does not occur in unsuitable conditions e.g. when there is a risk of drift or where soil conditions are unsuitable e.g. waterlogged, flooded or snow-covered soil or where the soil has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours

PG.EC.5.c

Buffer zone requirements of the PPP being applied are complied with

PG.EC.6

PPP application must be undertaken by competent operators

How you will be measured

PG.EC.6.a

NPTC Pesticide Application Certificates/Lantra Awards Level 2 Pesticides qualification

NPTC/Lantra certificates

PG.EC.7

All PPP application equipment must be maintained and tested

How you will be measured

PG.EC.7.a

Frequency of testing is carried out as follows: - all new trailed/mounted/self-propelled sprayers are NSTS tested before they are 5 years old - subsequently trailed/mounted/self-propelled sprayers with a boom width over 3m are NSTS tested once every 3 years - subsequently trailed/mounted/self-propelled sprayers with a boom width of 3m or under and other application equipment (slug pellet, micro-granular applicators, weed wipers) are NSTS tested once every 6 years - knapsack, handheld and pedestrian equipment does not require an NSTS test but should be checked by the operator at least annually

PG.EC.7.b

Equipment calibration occurs at least annually

NSTS Certificates
Calibration records

PG.EC.8

Records must be kept of all PPP applications

How you will be measured

PG.EC.8.a

Records include: - field/area identifier - crop/variety - total area, where applicable - sowing or planting date, where applicable - date and time applied - justification/target for application - product name and active ingredient - rate of application - water volume - wind direction and speed - grazing/harvest interval, where applicable - first permissible harvest date, where applicable - name of sprayer operator

PG.EC.8.c

Records are kept for at least 3 years

PPP application records

PG.EC.8.1

Where PPPs are used on crops an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan is completed

IPM plan

AIM: Fertilisers and other soil amendments are legal, suitable for their intended use and applied in a manner that prevents pollution and contamination

PG.EC.9 Key

Manufactured fertilisers and organic manures must be applied in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution

How you will be measured

PG.EC.9.a

Any materials, including waste materials, that are applied to land should have agricultural benefit

PG.EC.9.b

Exemptions/permits to use waste materials are held

PG.EC.9.c

A Manure Management Plan (MMP) is kept and followed when applying organic manures to land

PG.EC.9.d

MMP includes, at least: - where and when manure can/cannot be applied (detailed on a map) - calculations of total area required to apply volume of organic manure produced by stock at legal application rate - details of Total Spreadable Area available and outlets for any excess organic manure

PG.EC.9.e

Before application the following factors are considered: - NVZ restrictions - soil type - soil condition - crop requirements - slope - weather conditions - the location of watercourses - water supplies and abstraction points (including on neighbouring land)

PG.EC.9.f

Applications are not carried out during high risk times e.g. on waterlogged, flooded or snow-covered soil or where the soil has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours

PG.EC.9.g

Biosolids are assured under the Biosolids Assurance Scheme

PG.EC.9.h

Untreated sewage sludge, untreated abattoir or catering derived animal by-products are not applied

PG.EC.9.i

Applications are made in accordance with Appendix

Exemptions/permits
Manure Management Plan (or records detailing required information)

PG.EC.10

All manufactured fertiliser application equipment must be maintained and calibrated at least annually

Calibration record

AIM: No chemical or physical contamination, pollution or spread of disease from any potential contaminants or wastes

PG.EC.11 Key

All wastes which cannot be utilised are disposed of in a manner that minimises the risk of contamination and pollution

How you will be measured

PG.EC.11.a

Wastes are disposed of by a registered waste carrier

PG.EC.11.b

Wastes are not burnt, with the exception of vegetation and untreated wood

PG.EC.11.c

Empty PPP containers are: - cleaned using an integrated pressure rinsing device, or triple rinsed appropriately and the rinsate returned to the spray tank - stored securely - not reused - returned to the supplier or where non-returnable, disposed of via a registered waste carrier

PG.EC.11.d

Redundant PPPs are disposed of via the supplier or a registered waste carrier

Waste transfer notes
Waste carrier name and registration number

PG.EC.12

Systems are in place to manage waste responsibly

How you will be measured

PG.EC.12.a

Opportunities are considered for: - reducing the production of waste - re-using waste - recycling waste, plastics in particular

Where to find help

Protecting our Water, Soil and Air: A Code of Good Agricultural Practice: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protecting-our-water-soil-and-air
HSE guidance on storing, transporting and using pesticides and other agrochemicals safely: https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/topics/pesticides.htm
AHDB guidance on water regulations for pig farms: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/water-regulations-for-pig-farms
AHDB guidance on slurry storage: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/slurry-and-manure
Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) for making the most of organic materials and balancing the benefits of fertiliser use against economic and environmental costs: https://ahdb.org.uk/nutrient-management-guide-rb209
NFU and Voluntary Initiative template IPM plan: https://ecommerce.nfuonline.com/home/ipm-plan/
City & Guilds Land Based Service pesticide application certificates of competence: https://www.nptc.org.uk/
National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS): https://www.nsts.org.uk/
Pesticides Register of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Authorised Products: https://secure.pesticides.gov.uk/pestreg/
GB authorised biocidal products (including rodenticides): https://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/uk-authorised-biocidal-products.htm
Public registers of waste carriers, brokers and dealers:
– https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers (England)
– https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/registered-waste-carriers-transporters (Northern Ireland)
– https://www2.sepa.org.uk/wastecarriers/ (Scotland)
– https://naturalresources.wales/permits-and-permissions/waste-carriers-brokers-and-dealers-public-register/?lang=en (Wales)
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

More Standards

Beef & Lamb

Chicken

Crops & Sugar Beet

Dairy

Dairy Goats

Ducks

Fresh Produce

Turkeys

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Download Pigs Standards Manual

Download the changes to the Pigs Standards from 1 February 2025

Templates, Examples & Guides

IPM Plan

PPP Application Record

Slurry Wizard

Guidance

EC.1 – Potential pollutants include, but are not limited to, PPPs*, manufactured fertilisers, fuel oil, empty containers, disinfectants and rodenticides. *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
Useful slurry storage calculation tools include AHDB Slurry Wizard and CAFRE Nutrients Calculator
EC.10 – Annual field calibration and records are acceptable
EC.11 – In order to transport you 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

Appendix

EC.1 – SSAFO Storage

EC.9 – Safe applications to land