AN OVERVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL-IMPACT OF AGRICULTURE IN THE UK

This review has been necessary to bring together and interpret much of the diverse literature relating to the key areas of environmental imp act associated with agriculture. The main environmental impacts of agr iculture in the United Kingdom are associated with pesticides, nitroge n compounds, farm livestock wastes and soil erosion. Impacts on fauna and flora, water bodies and humans, as well as the economic costs (e.g . those involved in reducing levels of pollutants in water bodies) are considered within this paper. Agricultural activities, particularly t hose associated with emissions to the air and water, can have signific ant effects many kilometres from their place of origin. There may also be inter-related impacts. For example, pollution incidents which dire ctly affect aquatic populations can indirectly influence recreational activities, and may have economic effects in the form of remedial wate r treatment and cleanup costs. It is important that management techniq ues and systems are developed to reduce detrimental environmental impa cts associated with agriculture. The information outlined in this pape r has been used to assist in the design of an integrated computer-base d system to support environmental management in agriculture. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.