REQUEST FOR QUOTE

Impact Assessment – Farming Rules for Water

Introduction

New restrictions on the application of organic materials during the autumn and winter require farmers and growers to manage materials differently and this will have uncertain outcomes. This is a request for quotes for an evidence-based assessment of the impact of Farming Rule for Water number one and specifically the restriction on the use of organic materials in the autumn and winter.

The assessment should consider the practical and financial impact on farmers and growers as well as on the wider environment i.e. water quality as well as ammonia emissions, carbon sequestration, etc. Potential solutions and gaps in knowledge should be considered and discussed.

The assessment will inform future funding decisions for gaps in knowledge and knowledge exchange to help farmers and growers manage organic materials differently. Funding is being provided solely by AHDB but the work is being supported by stakeholders including; ADAS, AIC, Bangor University, Biosoilds Assurance Scheme, Environment Agency, FACTS, NFU and The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA).

Background

The eight Farming Rules for Water were introduced in April 2018. They set out how farmers must manage nutrients, soils and livestock in order to reduce the risks of water pollution.

An impact assessment for all eight rules was carried out by Defra prior to their introduction (see additional information). However, although the rules have been in place for three and a half years the Environment Agency has recently clarified how land managers must manage organic materials in order to comply.

The challenge for the industry is that now application of an organic material (containing crop available nitrogen) in the autumn or winter is only permissible to a crop that has a nitrogen requirement in those seasons. For example, farmyard manure must not be applied in the autumn ahead of establishment of a winter wheat crop. Farmyard manure contains available nitrogen and the wheat crop does not have a requirement for nitrogen in the autumn or winter and so application is not permitted.

Currently autumn and winter spreading of organic materials is common practice, with 25-30% of slurry and 50–60% of FYM applied at that time (BSFP, 2019).

Key objectives

The assessment should consider and evaluate the impact of restrictions on the application of organic materials during the autumn and winter on:

• Practical on-farm management of all types of organic materials, including storage and land spreading

• Storage requirements for all types of organic materials including financial costs and implications there of as well as environmental risks

• Soil health, including soil organic matter

• Environmental risk - associated with both autumn and spring applications, including

  • Water quality (N and P)

  • Air quality (ammonia and GHG emissions as well as odour)

  • Carbon sequestration (Net Zero)

  • The circular economy (P)

• Permitting of pig farms

• Effect on the use of manufactured fertiliser and nutrient balances

• Potential solutions to the challenges faced

• Gaps in knowledge and further research that is necessary 

Where necessary consideration should be given to other relevant regulation such as SSAFO and NVZs.

Deliverables

• The impact assessment should be completed using AHDB’s Research Review template and submitted to AHDB electronically as a MS Word document

• Interim report should be submitted approximately half way through the project

• Final report submitted by the completion date

• Included within the impact assessment should be a draft matrix on the responsible application of organic materials – based on the risks and opportunities identified

Milestones

• An Interim report should be submitted approximately half way through the project

• The impact assessment should be completed by 07 May 2021 (within three months).

• It is anticipated that the research team meet with AHDB and relevant stakeholders as necessary but also as a minimum for an:

• Initial meeting within two weeks of starting the project

• Interim project meeting, approximately half way through the project and to coincide with submission of the interim report

• Final project meeting preceding the submission of the completed impact assessment

Budget

Quotes should not exceed £25,000.

Structure of quote

Please include the following:

• How you intend to address the objectives and deliverables identified

• Timelines and milestones

• A description of the team that will complete the work

• Evidence you or your team have completed similar or related work

• Proposed budget

• Your contact details

Evaluation and award of contract

All bids will be scored against the criteria shown in the table below. 

Quote submissions 

Quotes must be received by noon: 05 February 2021 (Noon)

Quotes should be submitted electronically to: research@ahdb.org.uk | Please use reference: 'P2101361: Impact Assessment – Farming Rules for Water'

Submissions will remain unopened until after the closing date and time has passed.

Timetable 

 Please note these timescales are approximate and may change.

Additional information

• Farming Rules for Water

• Rules for farmers and land managers to prevent water pollution

• Farming Rules for Water – Environment Agency briefing note

• Farming Rules for Water Rule 1

• Defra Impact Assessment - Water Quality and Agriculture: Basic Measures

• Nutrient management guide (RB209)

• BSFP 2019

Terms and conditions of participation

AHDB Terms and Conditions for Research Funding Agreements shall apply to any contract awarded as a result of this request for quote.

 If you have any questions relating to this request for quote, please contact: research@ahdb.org.uk | Please use reference: 'P2101361: Impact Assessment – Farming Rules for Water'