Environment Agency
You must follow these rules if you store silage, slurry or agricultural fuel oil.
You need to know the general rules that apply if you store any of the 3 substances, as well as specific rules for storing and handling each one.
If your farm is in a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) there are extra rules for storing organic manures. You can check if your farm is in an NVZ.
General rules
Whos responsible
You must make sure you meet the rules if youre a:
- farmer
- land manager
- tenant farmer unless you can prove someone else, for example the leaseholder, is jointly or wholly responsible
If you do not follow the rules or take care to avoid causing pollution you can be prosecuted and fined up to 5,000 in a magistrates court, or get an unlimited fine in the Crown Court.
New storage and substantial changes
A new or substantially changed store must:
- follow the specific rules for the substance youre storing
- have an expected lifespan of at least 20 years with maintenance any part of a silage effluent tank thats underground must last 20 years without maintenance
- be at least 10 metres clear of inland or coastal waters you may need a larger safety zone in some cases, for example near a water supply intake
Although your store itself must be at least 10 metres clear of inland or coastal waters, drains and sealed pipes can be within 10 metres of these features if the Environment Agency agrees an exception. Ask for an exception when you tell the Environment Agency about your project.
Substantial changes usually means structural alterations, rather than minor repairs. Check with the Environment Agency if youre not sure.
Exempt storage
If your installation was built before March 1991, or a contract for construction was entered into before March 1991 and completed before September 1991, its exempt from the rules for new stores. However, if you make substantial changes, for example structural changes, increasing capacity or relocating your store, it is no longer exempt.
The Environment Agency can also serve a notice at any time requiring you to bring storage up to the current standards if it believes theres a significant risk of pollution.
Before you start work
Its up to you to decide what planning and work is needed but you must:
- tell the Environment Agency at least 14 days before you begin construction you can also contact them for advice on planning and building a store
- make sure you do not pollute the surrounding environment for example rivers or other watercourses
- check if you also need planning permission
Once your storage is built you must carry out maintenance to make sure theres no risk of pollution.
Tell the Environment Agency
You must tell the Environment Agency at least 14 days before you build new storage for silage, slurry or agricultural fuel oil, or make substantial changes to an existing store.
You must also tell the Environment Agency if you intend to make or store field silage or non-baled bags there are specific rules and a form.
Contact your local office
Call or write to your local Environment Agency office.
Tell them:
- your name, address, telephone number and email address
- the type of store youre proposing to build or change
- the exact location of the site (8-figure grid reference)
For the Environment Agency to assess your proposal youll need to supply:
- a site plan drawing of the structure
- a design drawing confirming the materials that will be used and their design, specification and layout you may also be asked to confirm that your design meets the requirements of BS 5502
- if you plan to use prefabricated products, a copy of the manufacturers specifications and guarantee
- if the structure is constructed from earth, analysis about the soil type, depth and permeability and a description of how it will be engineered
- for underground or partially underground silage effluent tanks youll need a certification from the installer you must provide this certification to the Environment Agency because the tank is required to perform for at least 20 years without maintenance
Youll usually get a written assessment of your proposal that says whether its been approved or not. The Environment Agency may contact you, rather than giving you a written assessment, to give you guidance on changes you need to make to your installation before it can be approved.
Rules for making and storing silage
The rules do not apply to silage you store temporarily in a container or trailer for transportation.
Where to store silage
You must not make or store any silage, or unwrap baled silage within 10 metres of inland or coastal waters.
In addition, you must not store field silage within 50 metres of a protected water supply source. This is any place where water is abstracted (taken) for any of the following purposes:
- human consumption
- use in farm dairies
- human food preparation
Ask the Environment Agency about protected water sources or use Magic map to check your local area.
Silos
All parts of a silo must be resistant to attack.
Your silo must have:
- an impermeable base extending beyond any walls
- impermeable drainage collection channels around the outside, flowing into an effluent tank
The base must comply with:
- British Standard 8007:1987 and British Standard 8110-1:1997 (for concrete bases)
- British Standard 594/EN 13108-4:2006 (for hot-rolled asphalt bases)
If your silo has walls, they must withstand wall loadings set in British Standard 5502-22:2003+A1:2013.
Ask your manufacturer, or check the manual that came with your equipment, to find out if it meets these British Standards.
Effluent tanks
Your silo must have an effluent collection system.
If all parts of an effluent tank are above ground the tank must be constructed to resist attack from silage effluent for at least 20 years with maintenance. If any part is below ground it should be impermeable for at least 20 years without maintenance. Youll be asked to prove your tank is suitable, for example with a manufacturers guarantee.
You can store silage effluent and slurry together if your tank has enough capacity and is built to withstand both types of effluent. However, mixing slurry can give off gases that are lethal to humans and livestock and you must never put silage effluent into an under-floor slurry store.
Capacity
The minimum capacity rules for effluent tanks should give you at least 2 days storage at peak flow. However, its up to you to make sure youve got enough capacity to avoid the risk of pollution.
| Silo capacity | Minimum effluent tank capacity |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 cubic metres | 20 litres for each cubic metre |
| Over 1,500 cubic metres | 30 cubic metres,
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