FAIRWAY Newsletter 15 April 2020

Hello Visitor,

Since the most recent event reported in this newsletter, the Knowledge and Innovation Day in the FAIRWAY Anglian Region case study at the beginning of March 2020, the ways we can work and interact in the world have changed unimaginably. The majority of FAIRWAY researchers are now working from their homes and a number of meetings and events planned for the forthcoming months have been postponed. However, we will continue to bring you news of significant and interesting project activity as it takes place. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, be well.

Barriers and issues in providing integrated scientific support or EU policy

FAIRWAY work package 7 is evaluating the barriers/issues in providing integrated scientific support for EU policy and establishing an iterative process of knowledge and practice exchange with policy during the FAIRWAY project.

In a recently released deliverable and publication, we describe how we used a desk study, workshop and interviews to analyse and discuss the role of science in EU policy making and implementation processes concerning the agricultural impact on drinking water quallity.

View the full article in »Water  and on the »FAIRWWAYiS website.

Matjaž Glavan

The Knowns and Unknowns of the Herbicide MCPA

A recent review by the Source to Tap project (the Northern Irish FAIRWAY case study) of MCPA (a herbicide selectively control a variety of weeds in arable fields and on grassland) including its history and trends, soil–water and hydrological dynamics, eco- and human toxicology, legislation, and pollution mitigation, places the Irish’s experience with this herbicide in an international context by identifying key areas where further research is urgently required.

For the full article see »A review of the pesticide MCPA in the land‐water environment and emerging research needs

Doody Donnacher

New FAIRWAY publication

We are delighted to anounce the publication of a new paper by members of the FAIRWAY team "How Can Decision Support Tools Help Reduce Nitrate and Pesticide Pollution from Agriculture? A Literature Review and Practical Insights from the EU FAIRWAY Project" »https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/3/768/htm

Fiona Nicholson

Knowledge and Innovation Day

Case study sites are an integral part of FAIRWAY. In the Anglian Region case study in England, a social science approach is being taken to understand farmer motivation for uptake of ‘best practice’ for farm management systems to mitigate on farm pesticide use, with a specific reference to the use of metaldehyde (for slug control) and its impact on drinking water bodies. In conjunction with Anglian Water, the FAIRWAY team from the University of Lincoln is looking at the development of innovative approaches to farmer engagement based on mulitple actor platforms (MAPs).

One of these approaches is to hold Knowledge and Innovation Days (KIDs). The concept was developed as a result of the increasing awareness of the need to approach farmer engagement from the ‘bottom-up’ (as in the MAPs). The aim is to develop a programme addressing the complexity of the environmental, economic and technological developments which directly affect the farmers and their businesses’ needs, whilst also addressing issues regarding farmer wellbeing.

The KID events have been piloted in the Cringle Brook catchment in South Lincolnshire and KID2020 was held on 3 March. The event compared two cultivations systems, demonstrating how small changes could potentially keep farm inputs in the field. Herbicide resistance, a huge concern for farmers, was also addressed. Its success was due to the relevance of the main themes to the farmer and the wider industry. This has been achieved by taking into consideration the farmers’ needs though discussion and feedback from previous KID events. The farmers know that KID events provide relevant knowledge and skills, up to date information, links with research and an ambience that enables exchange of ideas for the industry. 100% of attendees requested another such event. This tailored and targeted approach which is part of the MAP process could be an option for future farmers engagement.

 Jenny Rowbottom

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