2. 1
Contents
Chapter Page
Acknowledgements ii
Research Methodology iii
1. Executive Summary 4
2. Environmental Audit: Walsh Family Farm
Introduction 6
S1 – Environmental Policy 7
S2 – Environmental Training & Systems of Work 8
S3 – Products & Operations 10
S4 – Materials Use & Storage 13
S5 – Waste Management 15
S6 – Effluent Treatment & Discharge 18
S7 – Emissions to Atmosphere 20
S8 – Noise & Nuisance 25
S9 – Land & Property Management 26
S10 – Incident & Emergency Response 32
Controls & Environmental Management Systems 33
3. Conclusions 35
4. Recommendations 37
5. Bibliography & References 41
Appendix A
Appendix B: Environmental Audit Proforma
3. 2
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to acknowledge all those who assisted and advised him during the course
of the Environmental Audit, especially:
Mr Pat Walsh
Farm Principal & Proprietor
Dunfierth Lodge & Farm
Johnstown Bridge
Enfield
Co Kildare
Dermot Guiney MSc EDM, BSc(Eng), Dip(Eng), MIEI
Environmental Lecturer
Communication & Management Institute Ireland
14A Cashel Business Centre
Cashel Road
Dublin 12
4. 3
Research Methodology
The author on receipt of the environmental audit specification conducted an
environmental due diligence of various work related sites. The author choose the
Walsh Family Farm as it presented a multitude of environmental issues in the day-to-
day management of the business. A comprehensive investigative study and
environmental audit was conducted at the farm. The research involved the following
data sources:
Primary Data Collection:
Primary data collection consisted of meetings and informal interviews of the farm
principal proprietor, family and staff.
During the course of the audit, personal observations were noted having reviewed
ten subject areas in the context of the natural and working environment.
Secondary Data Collection:
The following secondary data sources were consulted:
- Walsh Family Farm Records
- Trade magazines and Newspapers
- Independent Research Publications from Teagasc, Environmental
Protection Agency, Monaghan County Council
- Academic & Trade Publications
- Internet e.g. on-line publications and blogs
The use of both primary and secondary data sources enabled the author to compete
the environmental audit. This enabled a critical appraisal of the strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats within this farming enterprise.
5. 4
1. Executive Summary
The objective of the project is to conduct an environmental audit to examine the
environmental impacts of a site for which the author has an intimate working
knowledge. The author has undertaken an environmental audit on the Walsh family
farm where he was born and lived for over forty years. This is a grassland farm and
beef food producing enterprise in county Kildare.
The environmental impact of agriculture varies based on the wide variety of
agriculture practices employed on the farm. The connection between emissions into
the environment and the farming system is indirect, as it also depends on other
climate variables such as rainfall and temperature.
There are two types of indicators of environmental impact: “means-based”, which is
based on the production methods used on the farm and “effect-based”, which is the
impact that farming methods have on the farming system or on emissions to the
environment. For example: a means-based indicator would be the quality of
groundwater that is effected by the amount of nitrogen applied to the soil. An
indicator reflecting the loss of nitrate to groundwater would be effect-based.
The Walsh Family Farm food business adheres to good agricultural practices
(GAP’s) which are applied to beef production processes, which result in safe healthy
food, taking into account economic, social and environmental sustainability. The farm
principal is Pat Walsh working full-time on the farm and his shareholding partner is
Declan Walsh, a son of the principal, whom works part-time on the farm.
GAP’s are applied to a wide range of farming systems and rely on four key
principles:
The economic and efficient production of safe and nutritious food.
Sustaining natural resources.
Maintaining farming enterprises and livelihoods.
6. 5
Meeting the social and cultural demands of society and the local community.
GAP’s provide opportunities to decide which farming practices to follow and achieve
higher production.
For example, some GAP’s relate to soil:
Reduction of erosion by hedging & creating ditches.
The correct application of both natural and organic fertilisers.
The use of manure, grazing and crop rotation in restoring and maintaining the
organic content of the soil.
Green manuring by incorporating clover into grassland swards contributing to
better water quality as grasslands need less nitrogen from fertilisers.
Protecting of soil structure by limiting use of heavy machinery thus reducing
soil compaction and water run-off.
Some GAP’s relate to water:
Sustainable use of water on the farm.
Avoiding flooding and soil leaching.
Creating and promoting catchment sensitive farming practices in areas of
flooding, improving water quality, creating a wildlife habitat and reducing the
impact of flooding.
Maintaining plant cover to avoid water run-off in the Autumn/Winter season.
GAP’s relating to animal husbandry, health & welfare:
Respect of animals.
Routine worming, illness or disease prevention.
Reducing the transport of live animals thus reducing the stress caused to
animals and the risk of illness.
Keeping records so that all animals and their treatments can be traced from
farm to fork.
Key recommendations are made for continuous environmental improvement on the
Walsh Family farm enterprise.
7. 6
3. Conclusions
1. The key environmental impacts on the Walsh Family Farm are a variety of
factors from soil, water, air, animal and soil diversity, people, plants and the
food itself. Some other environmental issues related to the farm are climate
change, deforestation, genetic engineering, pollutants, soil degradation and
waste management.
2. There is a clear environmental policy on the Walsh Farm compliant with all EU
and national environmental legislation. Good agricultural practices are
adopted to mitigate against environmental issues presented on the farm.
3. The participation in Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and the
Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme (BQAS) provides the primary system
framework for setting, monitoring and evaluating environmental objectives
annually.
4. Soil quality is essential for food production and an adequate water supply of
potable water. Waterlogging, compaction, pesticide/fertilizer contamination,
decline in soil structure quality, loss of fertility, changes in acidity, alkalinity,
salinity are all attributes of soil degradation. These factors have a huge impact
on soil degradation which effects the microbial community of the soil and alter
nutrient cycling. The Walsh Family have a nutrient management plan in place
to monitor and control soil quality on their farm.
5. Livestock movement, fallen livestock, burning, tree felling and waste disposal
require notification, authorisation and permits from the relevant authorities
responsible for their issuing.
6. Slurry agitation is a high risk operation with the potential to cause gas
poisoning from emitting Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S). This is lethal gas to both
humans and livestock, fatal in seconds and from only one breath.
7. Incident and emergency response is not a legal requirement. The
Environmental Protection Agency on requires incident notification at a
8. 7
licensed premises or where a permit is issued on foot of burning, tree felling
or waste disposal.
8. There are no compliance issues on the Walsh farm concerning the “Good
Agricultural Practice for Protection of Water Regulations 2014” which has
cross compliance implications under the Basic Farm Payment scheme.
9. The Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) has recently been
replaced by a new environment scheme called GLAS – Green Low Carbon
Agr-Environmental Scheme. It is a new agri-environment scheme part of the
Rural Development Plan 2014-2020.
10.The greatest challenge of Food Harvest 2020 and as outlined by Bord Bia in
the Origin Green Campaign is the production of food for a growing global
population. The greatest challenge for the Walsh Family Farm in the
foreseeable future is trying to keep pace with food production expectations
without compromising measures already taken against to protect the farm and
natural environment.
9. 8
4. Recommendations
1. A mobile gas detector for Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and methane (CH4)
should be purchased and operated to detect gas emission levels during slurry
agitation thus mitigating against fatalities caused by poisonous gas emissions
to the atmosphere. Action: DW / By When: July 2016
2. From the 26th November 2015 all professional users of pesticides/sprays must
be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under
the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD). As a professional user you must register
with the DAFM, farm using general principles of integrated pest management,
record records demonstration application and complete a professional user
training course. The Walsh Family need to ensure compliance in this area.
Action: DW / By When: November 2016
3. It is recommended that the signage “Slurry Gases” be replaced at the two
slurry agitation points at either end of the main slatted livestock shed on the
farm. Action: DW / By When: June 2016
4. Over seeding of white clover into permanent grassland should be conducted
on 20% of the farm each year on five year rotations. This will improve sward
nutritive value (digestibility and crude protein), assist with meeting the
requirements of the Nitrates Directive and cut costs associated with nitrogen
fertilizer spreading. This further contributes to better water quality as
grassland pastures need less nitrogen from fertilisers. Action: PW / By When:
April 2017
5. A drainage plan for the site should be developed as part of effective pollution
control. It is recommended that surface water drains be painted blue and foul
water drains be painted red. Action: PW&DW / By When: October 2016
6. A bund should be constructed for the diesel fuel tanks. The construction
should be sturdy lined with material impervious to oil with no damp course.
10. 9
The capacity of the bund should be should be the capacity of the largest tank
plus 10%. Action: PW / By When: September 2016
7. The installation of a solar-powered water pump should be considered as part
of energy reduction. Direct current motors are used for small to medium
applications up to 3kW rating thus suitable for applications such as providing
drinking water for livestock and domestic dwelling houses. Majority of pumps
are fitted with a 200 watt – 3,000 watt motor that receives energy from a 1,800
Wp PV solar panel. Action: PW&DW / By When: June 2016
8. The installation of a weather station should be considered as a tool for farm
management. Temperature and rainfall can be measured and monitored thus
aiding management decisions concerning silage harvesting and climate
change mitigation against flooding or adverse weather conditions. Action: DW /
By When: October 2016
9. The installation of separate electricity meters for both the farm and farm
house. Electricity bills should be monitored monthly to assess and track
usage. Energy use should be calculated in relation to livestock output e.g.
kWh / bullock or kWh / hectare of land farmed. The key performance indicator
can also be calculated in € / KWh. The results should be benchmarked
against similar size / output beef producing farm enterprises. Action: PW&DW /
By When: August 2016
10.Renewable energy options e.g. timber / wood pellet, solar panels, geothermal
and biogas should be considered as part of sustainable energy generation
and as part of climate change mitigation and further efficient use of energy
resources. The options should be considered in line with any government
grants toward the implementation of such projects. Action: PW&DW / By When:
September 2016
11.Reduce the farms carbon footprint by implementing the following:
- Measure and monitor the farm operation to track performance. From feed
use per animal to fertiliser usage to sales weight, data trends can help
track progress and identify areas for improvement.
11. 10
- Benchmark performance against others can help review the farm
operation, identify which parts of the enterprise could adjust to improve
efficiency and set targets.
- Focus on daily live weight gains to reduce emissions. On a typical beef
farm the majority of carbon emissions come from livestock. Daily live
weight gain is important because the shorter the time the cattle are on the
farm the less carbon is produced.
- Monitor and improve animal health. Close monitoring of animal health not
only safeguards the welfare of the herd, it also reduces weanling mortality
and leads to increased farm productivity to offset the carbon emissions of
the enterprise.
- Maximise home grown forage. Direct emissions from feed production
represents a high proportion of farm carbon emissions. By using home
grown forage the Walsh Farm has the opportunity to increase their feed
conversion efficiency.
Action: PW&DW / By When: December 2016
12. Improve biodiversity on the farm by building on the REPS V agri-environment
scheme by joining the new GLAS scheme. A government approved
afforestation scheme should be considered separate to GLAS for the land
parcel at Timahoe East comprising 2.17 hectares of peatland bog
(blanket/bare peat) which is presently not in use. This land could provide an
additional yearly income while supporting a wide range of flora and fauna.
Additional measures to be considered is the planting of a hedgerow with
blackthorn or whitethorn along with native deciduous trees in field lot
I13205037 (No. 1 - Ref Appendix A) where there was formerly a hedgerow.
This would effectively split the large field in two. Tussock grasses e.g.
cocksfoot, creeping red fescue and timothy should be planted at the base of
the saplings. This area would provide a wind break to livestock and would
provide an additional fenced field to assist with rotational grazing. It would
provide an excellent wildlife habitat for ground nesting birds e.g. Grey
Partridge & Yellowhammer and certain mammal species e.g. Irish Hare.
12. 11
Other measures that could be implemented as part of GLAS are as follows:
- Introduction of rare breeds e.g. Irish Moiles (€200 per LU). Crossgar Meats
offer a grade plus €0.20/kg bonus with an additional €16 per head bonus
for animals under 30 months for Irish Moiled beef.
- Bat boxes (€13 per unit/year)
- Bee conservation (€6 per box/ sand pile €45 per unit/year)
- Low-input permanent pasture (€314 per ha/year)
- Planting new hedgerows (€5 per metre/year)
- Planting a grove of native trees along the road hedgerow on field
I132050019 (€0.90 per unit/year)
- Training in environmental conservation practices and standards
These actions aim to enhance climate change, water quality and biodiversity
thus creating a sustainable future for both wildlife and livestock on the Walsh
Farm. Action: PW&MW / By When: March 2017
13. 12
5. Bibliography & References
1. Beef Quality Assurance Scheme, Bord Bia (2004)
2. Bell, Stuart, McGillivray, Donald & Pedersen, Ole, Environmental Law (2013), OUP
Oxford Publishing, Eight Edition
3. Bloomsbury Publishing, Dictionary of Agriculture, 3rd
Edition (2012)
4. Crop Protection 2016, Irish Farmers Journal Supplement, (2016)
5. Dashmann, Raymond F. M.A., Ph.D., Environmental Conservation (1968), John
Wiley & Sons Inc., 2nd
Edition
6. Farm the Environment, Farm Waste Management Booklet, Monaghan County
Council Environmental Services, Local Authority Waste Prevention Programme
(LAPD)
7. Farm Safety Code of Practice, Risk Assessment, Health & Safety Authority (2006)
8. Farmers Handbook, The ACA 2016, Agricultural Advisory Alliance Ltd, O Sullivan,
Martin (2015)
9. Farm Wildlife Handbook, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Information Press,
(2007)
10. Morris, Peter, Therivel, Riki, Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment,
Routledge, 3rd
Edition (2009)
11. Park, Chris, The Environment, Principles & Applications, (2001), Routledge, Second
Edition
12. Protecting our Water, Soil and Air, A Code of Good Agricultural Practice for Farmers,
Growers & Land Managers, DEFRA, TSO Publications (2009)
14. 13
13. Pye-Smith, Charlie, The Facts of Rural Life, Veterinary Association for Wildlife
Management, BPG Media (2015)
14. Rackham, Dr Oliver, History of the Countryside (2000), W&N, Second Edition
15. Ramharacksingh, Ronald, Agricultural Science, MacMillan (2011)
16. Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), Farmers Handbook 4, The
Department of Fisheries & Food 2013
17. Soffe, Richard J., The Agricultural Notebook (1995), Wiley-Blackwell, Second Edition
18. Sutherland, W.J. & Hill, David A., Managing Habitats for Conservation (1995),
Cambridge University Press
19. Wilson, E.O., Biodiversity (1988), John Wiley & Sons Inc.,
