Dairy production sector plan
The environmental impacts of dairy production can vary greatly from farm to farm depending on the way on-farm activities are carried out. Our sector plan focuses on how we are going to work with dairy producers, building on an established approach, to deliver regulatory compliance. There are many opportunities that exist for good practice and technological enhancements that will help the sector prosper within the means of one planet and we will help to make the most of these opportunities for those that wish to operate beyond compliance. This includes working with dairy producers across their supply chain.
|
|
|
Regulation and guidance
Scotland’s dairy producers are not licenced or permitted directly as a distinct activity, instead they must operate within a suite of legislation. The sector plan sets out how SEPA will work with the sector to help them achieve compliance with this legislation and how we can help should they volunteer to move beyond compliance. Key legislation includes:
- Water Environment (Controlled Activities)(Scotland) Regulations 2011 (CAR) - some dairy producers may hold licences for abstracting water and are regulated under these regulations.
- Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (SSAFO) - SEPA has direct responsibility for all activities on farm set out under these regulations. They govern the design, location, construction and maintenance of silage and slurry facilities on farms.
We also regulate land based activities that occur in the course of dairy production under CAR General Binding Rules for rural diffuse pollution. Further information on the environmental regulation used to regulate the sector is available on page 23 of the sector plan.
Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, the First Minister pledged that Scotland would lead the way to deliver a more equal, more just world, by signing Scotland up to the United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals. These global goals give us the framework to achieve real change, from eradicating poverty to ensuring a good home for us all. This vision is underpinned by Our Approach to Regulation, which aims to deliver environmental protection and improvement in ways which help communities and businesses thrive within the resources of our planet.
Scotland’s businesses have a critical role to play in leading Scotland’s contribution to achieving SDGs. Through our sector plans, we have identified opportunities that will work towards achieving the goals and help realise the economic benefit of increased resource efficiency, innovation and resilience.
The actions set out in the Dairy production sector plan contribute towards Sustainable Development Goals 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17.