|
Agriculture and Rural Development |
|
|
|
Listed below
are some examples of Access to the Countryside work undertaken recently by
Asken. Other work undertaken can be found by clicking on the links below. |
|
|
|
Pennine
Water Restoration Project United
Utilities/PAA Ltd Asken’s
expertise on common land and agricultural land management were employed by UU
and PAA to provide options for future management of an area of moorland. Drainage from the land is used for
public water supply but is contaminated as a result of over-grazing. Illegal use of motorcycles on the
moorland is also contributing to the problem. The restoration plan is intended to reduce soil erosion
and improve water quality. |
|
|
|
RIA
of Proposals for Changes to IPPC Rules Defra/Entec In bringing
together a range of EC Directives affecting emissions to the air from various
industrial processes, Defra has to review and, where necessary, make changes
to the rules applying to intensive livestock units in the UK. Various proposals for new measures
are being considered. As part of
this process, an Impact Assessment needs to be completed. Asken is working with Entec and
providing expertise both in agricultural management. |
|
|
|
RIA
of Proposals for Changes to NVZ Rules Defra/Entec In compliance with EC Directives, Defra has to review and,
where necessary, make changes to the Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable
Zones in England. Various
proposals for new measures are being considered. As part of this process, a Regulatory Impact Assessment
needs to be completed. Asken is
working with Entec and providing expertise both in agricultural management
and RIA work. |
|
|
|
Evaluation
of Rural Programmes in Wales Welsh
Development Agency/CRG Research Ltd Asken joined a team of economists and rural development experts
to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness, and degree of integration, of
three rural development programmes – Article 33, LEADER+ and Rural Community
Action. Asken was specifically
requested to research the situation in Pembrokeshire and to look at how the
same programmes have been implemented in Scotland and Ireland. |
|
|
|
Cranborne
Chase/West Wiltshire Downs AONB Management Plan Wiltshire
County Council/Entec Following the development of a management plan for the AONB,
Wiltshire County Council have appointed Entec, with Asken as sub-contractor,
to help in implementing the plan. Asken’s role was to consider the protocols
covering farm diversification. |
|
|
|
TIBRE
– Application to a Water Catchment Scottish
Natural Heritage/Entec SNH appointed Entec to explore the feasibility of applying the
TIBRE philosophy in two pilot water catchments. Groups of farmers were recruited in the two pilot
catchments (one in the Loch Lomond catchment, the other in the NE Scotland)
and attempts made to identify possible TIBRE-style projects that they could
apply. |
|
|
|
Environmental
Assessment of Agricultural Technologies Scottish
Natural Heritage/Entec SNH are concerned that new technologies are promoted to the agricultural
industry without due account being taken of their environmental impact. Entec and Asken reviewed alternative
approaches to evaluating the impact of new technology and made
recommendations to SNH. |
|
|
|
Regulatory
Impact Assessment of Proposals for Reform of Common Land Law Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs/University of Wales - Aberystwyth A major project to assess the impacts that new primary
legislation will have on the management of common land and governance of
rights. The RIA comprised a
detailed risks, costs and benefits analysis. Asken worked with other experts in the field, including
University of Wales (Aberystwyth) and University of Gloucestershire. |
|
|
|
Future
Dairy Industry and Regulatory Activity Environment
Agency/Entec Asken was responsible for the agricultural elements of a
research project for the Environment Agency which looked at possible future
developments within the dairy industry and the implications for the
environment. Asken’s role was to
consider alternative scenarios and advise environmental experts of the
implications. Together, they
then prepared advice to the Environment Agency on what regulations may need
to be applied to control the predicted adverse effects. |
|
|
|
Visitor
Payback Study Lake
District National Park Authority/British Mountaineering Council BMC members have shown a willingness to make a bigger
contribution to the well-being of the areas they visit. As part of their Integrated Access
Demonstration Project, the LDNPA explored possibilities of social inclusion
and visitor payback. The two
organisations came together and commissioned Asken to run a public meeting at
which ideas were solicited from local interests and visitors, for projects to
pursue. Two ideas emerged from
this meeting and put into practice.
One concerned the provision of opportunities for young people living
in Langdale to go climbing or hill-walking; the other was to examine ways of
bringing visitors to huts and local service providers into closer
contact. |
|
|
|
Climbing Huts Information Project British Mountaineering Council Ken assisted the BMC to design and implement a project to
equip climbing huts in North Wales with information packs. The packs help promote use of local
services, sustainable transport practices, responsible access and
protection/enhancement of the natural environment. Ken also helped secure funding from various parties to
support the project. |
|
|
|
Structural
Change in Agriculture |
|
|
|
Sheep
Flock Management
The prevalence of ectoparasites in the UK sheep flock is
increasing and the products used to treat infestations can pose environmental
risks. Consequently, the Agency was looking to find other strategies
for controlling spread. Asken, working with Lesley Stubbings Sheep
Consultancy, was retained by the Agency to facilitate a seminar to
discuss alternatives. The seminar was attended by representatives of the
sheep producers, agrochemical manufacturers, vets, contractors, auctioneers
and regulatory bodies (MAFF, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Environment
Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency). |
|
|
|
English
Agriculture: Drivers of Change and Future Scenarios |
|
|
|
Accident
Investigation |
|
|
|
Remediation
Plan Severn
Trent Water Ltd/Entec Asken was commissioned to prepare a remediation plan for a
farmer whose land has been affected by the water abstraction activities of
Severn Trent Water. The work
involved assessing historic losses, preparing proposals for remediating the
problems and assessing the costs of remediation. These proposals and estimates then form the basis of an
offer of compensation to the farmer. |
|
|
|
Integrated Land Management Plan Ministry of Defence (Defence
Estates)/Entec Entec prepared an Integrated Land Management Plan (ILMP) for the
Catterick Training Area, for the MOD. The ILMP brought together and
reconciled conflicting/competing interests in the use of the training areas
to provide a basis for on-going management of the areas. Asken completed the
sections relating to agriculture and public liaison (access) and produced the
final integration documents. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Update 02/08 |