As part of its wider work to improve water quality, the EA has been carrying out remote farm inspections using satellite imagery to identify potential non-compliances.
In August 2023, 438 farm businesses across the Wye Catchment in Herefordshire received 鈥楻emote Inspection鈥� letters from the EA (Environment Agency). The letter indicated potential evidence of non-compliance on parcels of land associated with their farming operations.
These letters notified recipients of the EA鈥檚 awareness of potential non-compliances during autumn 2022 under section .
Contesting the letter
This approach, and remote sensing technology, has been used to determine if green cover was established by 15 October 2022 in accordance with the Farming Rules for Water.
The EA issued the following information regarding the incorrect allocation of non-compliance: 鈥淚t has been brought to our attention that in some cases the satellite imagery used is either incorrect (e.g. highlights an incorrect field) or that green cover had in fact been established by the required date.鈥�
As such, affected farm managers who have been incorrectly identified can contest the letter if they believe the satellite imagery, or the data included in the remote report to be incorrect by contacting the EA by telephone on 03708 506 506 or by emailing [email protected].
This will ensure a non-compliance is not on your record. The EA team responsible will account for, and record, the submission of evidence and remove the non-compliance from their records if correct.
Where possible, try and include any evidence you have such as pictures, diary entries and nutrient management records which show field cropping, records of any seed purchases, agronomy reports/communications.
Inspections in 2023
Moving forward, the NFU has been informed that the EA will repeat this process later in 2023 and will therefore be looking to identify any areas of non-compliance, particularly focusing on land parcels which have been identified within this round (those parcels successfully contested will not receive such attention).
During this second round of remote inspections, the EA will be working to mobilise ARIOs (Agricultural Regulatory Inspection Offices) where there are repeat non-compliances to validate their assumptions as part of the formal inspection process.
To read our quick explainer on the farming rules for water, visit: Farming rules for water 鈥� what you need to know.
The full guidance can be found at: .
We are conscious that the arrival of such letters without prior awareness or understanding can be concerning for members, particularly in catchments such as the Wye where there is already so much focus.
Therefore, we are working with the EA to determine how farms can work towards compliance in light of the challenging harvest we have seen in 2023 as well as working to engage the farming community to allay concerns and promote an understanding of this type of assessment.
Why use remote inspections?
The EA has stated that it is making use of digital tools, so that 鈥渋nspectors can more effectively pinpoint and target areas of environmental harm and possible causes, and offer solutions鈥�.
Landowners will be contacted about any identified breaches with information on what they'll ned to do to rectify the situation. This will then be followed up by one of the EA's officers during the next farm inspection.
To read the EA's statement in full, visit: .
