Scottish Government

Organic Aid Scheme 2005 (Conversion and Maintenance)
Explanatory booklet (OAS1)

Appendix 1

Approved Private Inspection Bodies

Scottish Organic Producers Association
Scottish Organic Centre
10th Avenue
Royal Highland Centre
Ingliston
Edinburgh EH28 8NF
Tel: 0131 335 6606

Fax: 0131 335 6607
Email: sopa@sfqc.co.uk
Website: www.sopa.org.uk

Soil Association Certification Ltd
Bristol House
40-56 Victoria Street
Bristol BS1 6BY
Farmers and Growers:
Tel: 0117 914 2406
Processors:
Tel: 0117 914 2407
Fax: 0117 925 2504
Email:
Farmers & Growers:
prod.cert@soilassociation.org

Processors:
proc.cert@soilassociation.org

Website:
www.soilassociation.org

Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association
The Painswick Inn Project
Gloucester Street
Stroud GL5 1QG
Tel: 01453 759501
Fax: 01453 759501
Email: bdaa@biodynamic.freeserve.co.uk

Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association
Harbour Building
Harbour Road
Kilbeggan
Co Westmeath
Republic of Ireland
Tel: 00 353 506 32563
Fax: 00 353 506 32063
Email: iofga@eircom.ne

Organic Farmers and Growers Ltd
The Elim Centre
Lancaster Road
Shrewsbury
Shropshire SY1 3LE
Tel: 01743 440512
Fax: 01743 461441
Email: info@organicfarmers.uk.com
Website: www.organicfarmers.uk.com

Organic Certification Ltd
106 Abbots Road
Monksmoor
Shrewsbury SY2 5QX
Tel: 01743 248257
Fax: 01743 248259
Email: caroline@ocert.co.uk

Food Certification (Scotland) Ltd
Findhorn House
Dochfour Business Centre
Dochgarroch
Inverness
IV3 8GY
Tel: 01463 222251
Fax: 01463 711408
Email:
martin.gill@foodcertificationscotland.com
Website: www.foodcertificationscotland.com

Organic Food Federation
31 Turbine Way
Eco Tech Business Park
Swaffham
Norfolk PE37 7XD
Tel: 01760 720444
Fax: 01760 720790
Email: organicfood@freenet.co.uk

Organic Trust Limited
Vernon House
2 Vernon Avenue
Clontarf
Dublin 3
Republic of Ireland
Tel: 00 353 185 30271
Fax: 00 353 185 30271
Email: organic@iol.ie

CMi Certification
Long Hanborough
Oxford OX29 8LH
Tel: 0131 317 2500
Fax: 0131 317 1872
Email: enquiries@cmicertification.com

International Certification Service (GB) Ltd
trading as Farm Verified Organic
Meadow Vale Offices
Betws Road
Llanrwst
Conwy LL26 OPP
Tel: 01492 642628
Fax: 01492 642091
Email: ICSGB@ics-intl.com

Quality Welsh Food Certification Ltd
Gorseland
North Road
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 2WB
Tel: 01970 636688
Fax: 01970 624049
Email: mossj@wfsagri.net

SGS United Kingdom Ltd
Gaw House
Alperton Lane
Wembley
HA0 1WU
Tel: 02089982171
Fax: 02089979723

Appendix 2

Contact Details - SEERAD Area Offices

Ayr
SEERAD
Russell House
King Street
Ayr KA8 0BE

Phone : 01292 610188
Fax: 01292 611483
E-mail: SEERAD.Ayr@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Benbecula
SEERAD
Balivanich
Isle of Benbecula HS7 5LA

Phone : 01870 602346
Fax: 01870 602077
E-mail: SEERAD.Benbecula@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Dumfries
SEERAD
Government Buildings
161 Brooms Road
Dumfries DG1 3ES

Phone : 01387 255292
Fax : 01387 267116
E-mail: SEERAD.Dumfries@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Elgin
SEERAD
32 Reidhaven Street
Elgin IV30 1VE

Phone: 01343 547514
Fax:01343 552312
E-mail: SEERAD.Elgin@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Galashiels
SEERAD
Cotgreen Road
Tweedbank
Galashiels TD1 3SG

Phone: 01896 758333
Fax: 01896 754460
E-mail: SEERAD.Galashiels@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Hamilton
SEERAD
Cadzow Court
3 Wellhall Road
HAMILTON ML3 9BG

Phone: 01698 281166
Fax : 01698 285277
E-mail: SEERAD.Hamilton@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Inverness
SEERAD
28 Longman Road
Inverness IV1 1SF

Phone: 01463 234141
Fax: 01463 714697
E-mail: SEERAD.Inverness@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Inverurie (Thainstone)
SEERAD
Thainstone Court
Inverurie AB51 5YA

Phone : 01467 626222
Fax : 01467 626217
E-mail: SEERAD.Thainstone@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Kirkwall
SEERAD
Government Buildings
Tankerness Lane
Kirkwall KW15 1AQ

Phone: 01856 875444
Fax: 01856 873309
E-mail: SEERAD.Kirkwall@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Lairg
SEERAD
Ord Croft
Lairg IV27 4AZ

Phone: 01549 402167
Fax : 01549 402117
E-mail: SEERAD.Lairg@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Lerwick
SEERAD
Charlotte House
Commercial Road
Lerwick ZE1 0HF

Phone : 01595 695054
Fax : 01595 694254
E-mail: SEERAD.Lerwick@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Oban
SEERAD
Cameron House
Albany Street
Oban PA34 4AE

Phone: 01631 563071
Fax: 01631 566756
E-mail: SEERAD.Oban@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Central Area Office
SEERAD
Broxden Business Park
Lamberkine Drive
Perth PH1 1RZ

Phone: 01738 602000
Fax: 01738 602001
E-mail: SEERAD.Perth@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Stornoway
SEERAD
10 Keith Street
Stornoway
HS1 2QG

Phone: 01851 702392
Fax: 01851 705793
E-mail: SEERAD.Stornoway@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Thurso
SEERAD
Strathbeg House
Clarence Street
Thurso KW14 7JS

Phone: 01847 893104
Fax: 01847 895983
E-mail: SEERAD.Thurso@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Portree
SEERAD
Estates Office
Portree
Isle of Skye IV51 9DH

Phone: 01478 612516
Fax: 01478 613128
E-mail: SEERAD.Portree@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

SEERAD Head Office Address
Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department
Pentland House
47 Robbs Loan
Edinburgh EH14 1TY

Other useful contact details

SNH Main Area OfficesNorth Areas - Western Isles
32 Francis Street
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2ND
Tel: 01851 705258

North Areas - North Highland
Main Street
Golspie
Sutherland
KW10 6TG
Tel: 01408 633602

North Areas - West Highland
The Governer's House
The Parade
Fort William
Inverness-shire
PH33 6BA
Tel: 01397 704716

North Areas - East Highland
Fodderty Way
Dingwall Business Park
Dingwall
IV15 9XB
Tel: 01349 865333

East Areas - Grampian
16/17 Rubislaw Terrace
Aberdeen
AB1 1XE
Tel: 01224 64286

East Areas - Tayside &
Clackmannanshire
Battleby
Redgorton
Perth
PH1 3EW
Tel: 01738 444177

East Areas - Forth & Borders
Laundry House
Dalkeith Country Park
Dalkeith
Midlothian
EH22 2NA
Tel: 0131 654 2466

West Areas - Argyll & Stirling
The Beta Centre
Innovation Park
University of Stirling
Stirling
FK9 4NF
Tel: 01786 450362

West Areas Strathclyde & Ayrshire
Caspian House
Mariner Court
Clydebank Business Park
Clydebank
G81 2NR
Tel: 0141 951 4488

West Areas - Dumfries & Galloway
Carmont House
The Crichton
Bankend Road
Dumfries
DG1 4ZF
Tel: 01387 247010

National Monuments Record of Scotland

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland

John Sinclair House
16 Bernard Terrace
Edinburgh
EH8 9NX
Tel: 0131 622 1456
Fax: 0131 622 1477

Historic Scotland

Longmore House
Salisbury Place
Edinburgh
EH9 1SH
Tel: 0131 668 8600

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Erskine Court
The Castle Business Park
Stirling
FK9 4TR
Tel: 01786 457700

Forestry Commission

National Office for Scotland
231 Corstorphine Road
Edinburgh
EH12 7AR
Tel: 0131 334 0303

Appendix 3 - Good Farming Practice

The Standard of Good Farming Practice

Regulation 1750/1999 states (Article 19) that where a farmer/crofter(s) enters into an agri-environmental commitment in relation to part of the farm/croft, he/she shall adhere to at least the standard of good farming practice in relation to the whole of the farm/croft. Also Council Regulation 1257/1999 (Less Favoured Areas and Areas with Environmental Restrictions) Article 14.2 states that compensatory allowances shall be granted per hectare of areas used for agriculture to farmers who apply usual good farming practices compatible with the need to safeguard the environment and maintain the countryside, in particular by sustainable farming.

It is a condition of approval that you comply with the Standard of Good Farming Practice and any future revisions to it. A list of the verifiable standards of Good Farming Practice and the complementary environmental regulations are detailed at the end of this section.

If you are subject to investigation by SEPA or any other enforcement agency for a breach of any environmental regulation we may have to consider delaying your application to join the OAS or if you are already participating in the OAS, the payment of a claim until the outcome of the investigation is known.

The verifiable standards of Good Farming Practice are ones which are complementary to existing legislative requirements and are capable of verification by Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) staff to EU audit standards as part of our existing checks on agri-environment scheme participants.

1.1 On rough grazings, unimproved grassland, reverted improved grassland, machair and dune grassland, wetlands and native, amenity or semi-natural woodlands, you should ensure that livestock are managed to avoid either overgrazing or undergrazing.

High concentrations of stock often cause poaching, frequently as a result of supplementary feeding practices, with obvious damage to the vegetation. When feed blocks are used, it will often be preferable to rotate feeding sites, but if hay is fed, sacrificial areas may be more desirable due to the risk of site rotation spreading introduced grass seeds over a larger area, to the detriment of the natural herbage.

Overgrazing is defined as 'grazing land with livestock in such numbers as to adversely affect the growth, quality or species composition of vegetation (other than vegetation normally grazed to destruction) on that land to a significant degree'. Cases of suspected overgrazing will be investigated and failure to follow advice thereafter would be a breach of this condition.

In some cases no supplementary feeding is permitted under the terms of the agreement. Where it is permitted, the feed must be provided in such a way that the vegetation is not excessively trampled or poached by animals or rutted by vehicles used to transport feed. Cases of suspected unsuitable supplementary feeding will be investigated and failure to follow advice thereafter would be a breach of this condition.

Undergrazing or under-utilisation is defined as 'land where there is evidence of the annual growth not being fully utilised, or scrub or coarse vegetation is becoming evident, and such changes are detrimental to the environmental interest of the site'.

1.2 Drystone or flagstone dykes or walls, hedges and hedgerow trees on your land are important elements of a traditional landscape and provide valuable habitats for a diverse range of plants and animals. The removal or clearance of such features will not be permitted except with the prior written agreement of SEERAD or other appropriate Government Agency.

Enforcement will be through visual assessment of any recent damage during field checks.

1.3 Trimming of hedgerows on your land, if carried out between 1 March and 31 July, may damage the conservation interest of this habitat. No hedge trimming during this period will be allowed. (Also refer to Appendix 4 - Compendium of UK Organic Standards which recommends that this period should be extended until 31 ^st August).

Enforcement will be through visual evidence of recent damage during any checks carried out.

1.4 You are required to notify Scottish Natural Heritage of any intended operations that are likely to damage any Site of Special Scientific Interest on your land.

It is a condition of the OAS that participants will not proceed with any such operations without having obtained prior approval from Scottish Natural Heritage. Checks will be made to see that any damaging operations that appear to have been carried out have had prior approval from SNH.

1.5 If a new silage or slurry storage facility is constructed on your land, you must notify the Scottish Environment Protection Agency before starting to use it.

Checks will be carried out to see that this notification has been given for any new stores.

1.6 You must obtain prior authorisation from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency before disposing of sheep dip on your land.

Checks will be made to see that either an authorisation has been obtained or that there is justifiable reason why no authorisation is needed in that individual case.

MINIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS (SCOTLAND)

Appendix 4 - Organic Production & Care of the Environment

Organic Production and Care of the Environment (Reproduced from the Compendium of UK Organic Standards)

1.1. Organic production systems are designed to produce optimum quantities of food of good nutritional quality by using management practices which aim to avoid the use of agro-chemical inputs and which minimise damage to the environment and wildlife.

1.2. These systems entail the adoption of management practices which underpin and support the principles and aims of organic production. The principles include:-

i) Working with natural systems rather than seeking to dominate them;

ii) The encouragement of biological cycles involving micro-organisms, soil flora and fauna, plants and animals;

iii) The maintenance or development of valuable existing landscape features and adequate habitats for the production of wildlife with particular regard to endangered species;

iv) Careful attention to animal welfare considerations;

v) The avoidance of pollution;

vi) Consideration for the wider social and ecological impact of the farming system.

1.3. When applied these principles result in production practices whose key characteristics are:

i) the adoption of sound rotations;

ii) the extensive and rational use of animal manure and vegetable wastes;

iii) the use of appropriate inputs;

iv) appropriate cultivation, weed and pest control techniques; and

v) the observance of conservation principles.

1.4 Concern for the environment should manifest itself in willingness to consult appropriate conservation bodies and in high standards of conservation management throughout the organic holding.

1.5 The specific practices needed to respect the conservation principles of organic production will depend upon the individual circumstances on each farm. However, the following principles should be followed where applicable:

i) Natural features such as streams, ponds, wetlands, heathland, and species-rich grassland should be retained as far as possible.

ii) Grazing management of natural (or semi natural) habitats such as grassland, heath, moorland, heather and bog and rushy upland, should aim to prevent poaching of the soil and over grazing. Localised heavy stocking particularly in the nesting season should be avoided.

iii) Hedges and walls should be retained and managed using traditional methods and materials as far as possible.

iv) In hedge and ditch maintenance the nesting season and wildlife requirements for winter feeding or shelter should be taken into account. Hedge trimming and ditch cleaning should generally not take place between 1 March and 31 August. Where practicable, the maintenance of hedges should result in hedges at diverse stages of growth.

v) If it is considered that there are reasonable grounds for alteration to hedges or to field boundaries these should first be discussed with a Conservation advisor. If alteration does prove to be necessary, consideration should be given to the need to for compensatory environmental work.

vi) The retention and management of trees in accordance with local custom and woodland practice is essential. Where re-planting is to take place, indigenous varieties of trees and shrubs should be given preference. Where practicable, natural re-generation and coppicing of appropriate species should be practised.

vii) Clear felling should be restricted so as to retain a diversity of age classes and habitat within the woodland areas of the holding.

viii) Care should be taken in the spreading of manures and slurry. The application of manure within 10 metres of ditches and watercourses and within 50 metres of wells and bore holes should be avoided. The spreading of manure or slurry on frozen ground or on saturated ground should be avoided, so as to prevent excessive run off.

iv) The land management should seek to preserve features of archaeological or historical value or interest avoiding, for example, the levelling of ridge and furrow, and the cultivation of monuments or earth works.

x) New buildings should be designed and located to have minimum impact on the landscape.

xi) Existing rights of access should be maintained.

Appendix 5: Environmental Inventory for Maintenance Payments

This inventory is required to be carried out in order to qualify for OAS Maintenance Payments

The Environmental Inventory is, in effect, a list of all the wildlife habitats and features on your unit and an assessment of their current conservation interest. The purpose of the inventory is to encourage a structured and objective identification of the wildlife and other conservation habitats on the unit. This will provide a sound basis to help ensure that funds available are used to obtain the maximum benefit.

For the inventory to be carried out properly, it will be necessary for whoever is carrying it out to walk the unit to identify and examine the habitats and features and to mark them on a map. If you are sufficiently knowledgeable about wildlife conservation, you can undertake the inventory yourself. Alternatively, you can, if you prefer, ask a professional adviser to carry out the inventory for you.

5.1 You must enclose a descriptive map detailing the habitats and features on your holding. This forms a statement of the habitats and features on your holding. The habitats and features to be detailed on the descriptive map are:

i) Moorland

ii) Unimproved grassland, species rich grassland, coastal and lowland heath

iii) Wetland and lowland raised bog

iv) Water Courses

v) Native or semi natural woodlands

vi) Hedgerows

vii) Drystone dykes

viii) Historic Archaeological Sites

All of the habitats and features listed above which occur on your holding should be clearly identified on the Descriptive map which must accompany the completed inventory

In addition to adhering to the standards of Good Farming Practice (See Appendix 3) you must adhere to the conditions as described below which will be applied to your holding and the habitats and features on your holding should you be approved to receive maintenance payments:

5.2 Avoid carrying out field operations, such as harrowing and rolling, on species rich grassland or rough grazings during the nesting season.

5.3 Avoid cultivating within one metre of any boundary feature, such as fences, hedges and walls.

5.4 On rough grazings, unimproved grassland, reverted improved grassland, machair and dune grassland, wetlands, water margins, and native amenity or semi natural woodlands, you must avoid damaging the conservation interest by not undertaking new drainage works, ploughing, clearing, levelling, reseeding or cultivating and ensure that livestock are managed to avoid poaching.

5.5 You must ensure that any injurious weeds to which the Weeds Act 1959 applies are controlled to prevent their spread and avoid the risk of damage to the conservation interest of any habitat or feature on the unit.

5.6 You must ensure that any muirburn shall be carried out in accordance with the guidance approved by Scottish Ministers. A copy of the guidance is available from your local SEERAD office.

5.7 You must avoid damaging or destroying any features or areas of historic or archaeological interest and follow Scottish Minister's guidance of such features or areas.

Appendix 6 -Capital Works associated with Conversion Payments.

This section describes the requirements for work attracting capital payments under the OAS Conversion payments option where this is necessary to meet the objectives of the Scheme.

Appendix 7 - Glossary of terms

Arable land
For 2005 applications, land to be classed as "arable land" under the Organic Aid Scheme is land which was in an arable crop in one or more years during the 5 years to 15 May 2003. This definition is subject to Parliamentary approval.

Improved Grassland
Land to be classed as "improved grassland" under the Organic Aid Scheme is land in permanent pasture used for grazing where over one third of the sward comprises, singly or in mixture, ryegrass, coxsfoot or timothy, or land that has been improved by management practices such as liming and top dressing, where there is not a significant presence of sensitive plant species indicative of native unimproved grassland.

Rough Grazing
Land to be classed as "rough grazing" under the Organic Aid Scheme is land in permanent pasture containing semi-natural vegetation including heathland, heather moorland, bog and rough grassland used or suitable for use as grazing.

Permanent Pasture
Permanent Pasture is defined as land used to grow grasses or other herbaceous forage naturally (self seeded) or through cultivation (sown) and that is not included in the crop rotation for five years or longer.

Certificate of Registration
A certificate issued by an approved organic Private Inspection Body in relation to land, specifying its status in relation to organic standards, that is whether it is in conversion, fully organic or conventionally farmed.

Compendium of UK Organic Standards
The Compendium is the standard for organic food production that must be complied with in the UK. It is based on, and complies with Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91, as amended.

Holding
A holding is defined as all the production units managed by a producer situated within the same Member State's territory. It is, therefore, the same definition as that used for IACS purposes. Separate IACS applications may be submitted for different farms in which you are involved only if they are managed as separate businesses according to certain criteria.

In determining whether businesses are managed separately we will have to take account a range of criteria, including the legal status of the businesses and how far operations are run separately on a practical day-to-day basis. These could include separate farm records and accounts, independence of decision making between the separate farms and where the overall economic control of the business(es) rests. None of these factors is conclusive by itself. We may need to seek further information from you before determining whether businesses are separate.

EU
European Union.

IACS
Integrated Administration and Control System.

In Conversion
Land in the process of being converted to organic production.

NVZ
Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.

Livestock
Any creature kept for the production of food, wool or skins or for the breeding of any animal for any such purpose.

SSSI
Site of Special Scientific Interest.