A strategic environmental assessment method for agricultural policy in theUK

There are a number of significant environmental impacts that arise from agr icultural practices that may be influenced by policy. A Strategic Environme ntal Assessment Method (SEAM) is described which aims to assess the environ mental impacts of agricultural policy and aid the development of more susta inable policy formulation. The method addresses the issues of selecting app ropriate performance criteria and measurements, and makes use of effect-dam age functions and targets to determine the significance of potential impact s in relation to sustainability. A set of profiles is produced, describing the environmental performance of a specific policy. A confidence assessment system (CAS) is also described which provides details about the quality of the assessment and areas of uncertainty. SEAM provides information about i mpacts in simple format that can be easily used in decision making. It can identify environmental trade-offs and provides a holistic view that is esse ntial when making decisions that affect the environment. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.