iwam dr emma hennessay 190907
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Integrating Water and Agricultural Management:Defra Science and Policy RequirementsTRANSCRIPT
Dr Emma Hennessey
Sustainable Water Management
Integrating Water and Agricultural Management:
Defra Science and Policy Requirements
How does Defra decide what research to fund?
• Defra policies must be evidence-based
• Evidence required for policies based on both national and international legislation
• Research needs are framed in ROAME A documents which link policy and science
What are the international drivers for water policy?
Water Framework Directive, Nitrates Directive, Bathing Waters, Freshwater Fish, Shellfish Waters (and Shellfish Hygiene), daughter Directives on Groundwater, Dangerous and Priority Substances, Habitats, Birds, OSPAR Convention on eutrophication
What are the national drivers for water policy?
UK Biodiversity Action Plan
UK PSA target:• Secure a healthy natural environment
Departmental Defra High Level Goal:• Maintaining and enhancing the natural asset base
Departmental Strategic Objectives:• A healthy natural environment
• A thriving farming and food sector
How are research needs identified in Defra?
. Joint discussions to identify needs. Two approaches:
Science teams and policy teams (traditional approach) orProject/programme teams (the future!)
Defra Organisation (1)
Policy:• Livestock and Plants hubs• Water Quality Division• Water Supply and Regulation Division• Climate Change Group
Science:• Evidence and Knowledge Core Function
Defra Organisation (2)
Science:• Evidence and Knowledge Core Function
Programme:• Farming for the Future Programme
Nutrient Management ProjectAgriculture and Climate Change
Project
Setting out our research needs
.
ROAME A documents used to frame needs:
Set out policy context for work – the national and international drivers Identify the evidence needs, and the science required to meet those needs
Main water related programmes:• WQ01 Water Quality: Minimising adverse
impacts of agriculture on water quality.
• WU01 Water Use: Optimising water use by agriculture & food production
industries.
• WT07 Quality of controlled waters.
Key science objectives (1):WQ01 Water Quality
• How does land management contribute to water pollution?
• Mitigate transport of pollutants into water.
• Understand land manager behaviour.
• Management guidelines & policy instruments.
Key science objectives (2):WU01 Water Use
• Baseline information on water use (inc. for FISS).
• Identify opportunities for water saving.
• Land manager / food production industry behaviour.
• Management guidelines & policy instruments.
Working together to deliver
Science programmes need to be multi-disciplinary, for example:
Social science – will farmers take up suggested measures?
Economics – what will it cost (farmers, Defra, enforcement agencies)? How much money will be saved?
Making the best use of Defra science
Talk to each other!CollaborateTry to build on what has already been doneScientists – make results policy relevantDefra – translate between science outputs and policy needs