IWAM Dr Emma Hennessay 190907

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

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