A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a formal conservation designation. Usually, it describes an area that’s of particular interest to science due to the rare species of fauna or flora it contains – or even important geological or physiological features that may lie within its boundaries.
SSSIs often contain important habitats such as grasslands and parkland. Some even contain ancient woodland and ancient trees.
Under the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021, your manure management risk maps must include any nearby protected areas. These include protected water supply sources or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
This is not limited to the land that you claim Basic Payment on, you must include these sites on your manure management risk maps even if they are on land not owned by you. You can find out whether your farmed ground has/ is near any designated areas by visiting: https://magic.defra.gov.uk/magicmap.aspx or https://datamap.gov.wales/
If the SSSI or protected area is close to your farmed ground, it is worth reviewing your management techniques on that ground. These areas hold great value to conservation, people, and the general area. They are protected for a reason and should be managed in a set way that protects and aids their development. If you feel your management may have a detrimental effect on nearby SSSIs, advice should be sought from the site’s conservation officer.
If your land is part of a SSSI it is likely that you already have an ongoing agreement or site management statement in place. Some SSSIs can be offered a management agreement which you can then receive payment on.
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