8 Farm Assured Welsh Livestock (FAWL)
FAWL, Standards accessed here: Preparing for FAWL Assessment
8a
Section 3, 15a Soil Management Planning requires that FAWL members demonstrate an awareness of the potential sources of soil loss caused by compaction, erosion or excessive livestock poaching and be able to explain a policy of how they would implement mitigation measures to minimise that risk.
Additionally the Recommendations include:
BEEF & SHEEP For winter-grazed brassica crops, reduce the risk of run-off by only growing on appropriate fields*. Manage the grazing to prevent run-off (e.g. graze from the top of a sloping field). Preferably avoid root crops which leave the soil bare when grazed and instead use leafy brassicas and other species, grazing them rotationally to allow regrowth to keep soil protected.
Additionally the Recommendations include:
BEEF & SHEEP/DAIRY Grow maize only on appropriate fields*. Minimise bare soil after harvest either by undersowing in spring with a cover crop that remains after the maize harvest or, if not undersown, use an early maturing maize variety and then as soon as possible after harvest sow a cereal crop or a quick growing cover crop in time to establish before winter.
8b
Section 3, Nutrient Management Planning, 15d requires that FAWL demonstrate an awareness of the conditions and limitations for the application of all nutrient sources and lime. All fertiliser and manure applications to land should be made in accordance with a Nutrient Management Plan that aims to minimise the over-use and loss of nutrients applied to land as fertiliser and the risk of pollution.
Additionally the Recommendations include:
BEEF & LAMB Do not build soil phosphorus beyond target indices. Where soil nutrient indices are higher than target levels, consider undertaking a farmgate nutrient balance to identify opportunities to bring the farm into nutrient balance (e.g. exporting surplus manures or reducing bought in feeds).
8c
Section 18, Waste Disposal, 18b requires disposal of sheep dip in line with Groundwater Protection Code.
Section 19, Sheep dipping/treatment requires safe handling of dipped and showered sheep in line with the Ground Water Protection Code, including 19d ‘ sheep should not be dipped if rain is likely within 24 hours’ and 19e ‘sheep should not be allowed access to surface water for 2 weeks after dipping of showering’
Additionally the Recommendations include:
BEEF & LAMB Sheep must be allowed to dry for 2-4 days post-dipping which comes from The Mobile Sheep Dipping Code of Practice Mobile dipping Code of Practice
8d
Section 3, 14c Protection of the Environment 14c Members must comply with the current Codes of Good Agricultural Practice Code of good agricultural practice | GOV.WALES
