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This Guide deals with the SSAFO regulations specifying the minimum legal standards required to prevent pollution of water from agriculture. It aims to minimise risk of water pollution from silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil. All facilities installed relating to the storage of silage slurry or agricultural fuel oil need to comply fully with the SSAFO regulations.

Introduction

The purpose of the regulations is to set out what is required from those who are in control of silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil to minimise the risk of water pollution from these substances.

History

The regulations were set up under the Water Resources Act 1991. The regulations set standards from 1st March 1991 and came fully into force on 1st September 1991. The amending regulations came into force 1st April 1997. The Environment Agency is responsible for enforcement of the regulations.

Requirements

Farmers needs to ensure all facilities installed after 1991 and any proposed facilities need to comply fully with SSAFO regulations. The following are some of the regulations and conditions that apply and are not comprehensive. Full details can be found in the farmers guide to the regulations available from the Environment Agency.

The regulations apply to:

• Silage making and storage, including baled silage (bagged and wrapped) and field silage (field heaps and non bales, bagged silage)
• Slurry storage systems including stores for dilute effluent i.e. dirty yard water, runoff from solid manure stores, washings from livestock buildings, reception pits
• Agricultural fuel oils

General Requirements of structures:

• Durability life – 20 years without causing or being at risk of causing pollution
• Safety zone – Installations must not be constructed and field silage must not be made or stored within 10m of any controlled waters which silage effluent, slurry or agri. fuel oil could enter. Field must not be made or stored within 50m of a protected water supply source
• Exempt structures – The regulations apply to all installations constructed, substantially re constructed or substantially enlarged after Sept.1991. Any existing structure that has been substantially enlarged or substantially reconstructed a...