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Tuesday, April 30, 2024
The Parrett Catchment Project
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Farmers

Why is farming in the catchment important to the work of the PCP?

Land use has a large impact on the capacity of the ground to hold or shed water. In a catchment changes in land use in the headwaters and mid waters of the catchment can have large impacts further downstream.
Over the past 20 years the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform and farm economics have driven the farming industry towards larger more specialised farms and more intensive land use.

 

This increased pressure on the land can have negative effects on soil structure, and the ability of the land to intercept and store water, thus increasing the risks of run-off, soil erosion and flash flooding during rain fall events.
The PCP are working with land owners to address these issues by raising the awareness of the importance of good soil structure, identifying possible high risk situations and helping growers improve land management to reduce run-off through focused personal advice.

Agricultural run-off on steep slopes
Solutions include:
  • Changing land use

  • Improved crop rotations

  • Improved cultivations

  • Utilising options and funding under agri environmental schemes