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The Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity Code (PEPFAA Code) of good practice provides practical guidance for farmers and those involved in agricultural activities, on minimising the risks of environmental pollution from farming operations. The code answers many questions that arise from managing agricultural activities. Burning waste Can I dispose of wastes by burning t

Addressing Bathing Water quality As you may be aware, in light of Scotland's continuing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Scottish Government has not designated bathing waters for the 2020 season and has recently consulted on proposals to keep this under review across the summer. You may also be aware that over recent years, significant work has been undertaken by SEPA, Scottish Water and Scottis

Every year, we receive hundreds of enquiries and complaints about small-scale private sewage treatment systems. Most complaints are about "ponding", when wastewater or sewage forms puddles on the ground, or about sewage related solids in rivers or being washed up on beaches. Many of the problems caused by private sewage treatment systems are because systems are not looked after properly or maintai

We have a responsibility to regulate and monitor emissions from certain industrial activities that can cause air pollution. These regulatory activities are a major part of what we do. In addition to our regulatory role, we: Through our role as a statutory consultee in the planning and local air quality management systems, we influence the location, design and layout of new infrastructure and build

As we come to the end of 2023, we look back on our work across the year to protect and improve Scotland's environment and the benefits for our communities and businesses. Reporting on the state of Scotland's environment We reported on the state of Scotland's environment, from greenhouse gas emissions to air, resources and water.  Our science enabled the introduction of Scotland's first low em

Aquaculture is the growing of finfish and shellfish. In Scotland, this primarily involves the farming of: salmon and rainbow trout held in sea pens salmon and trout in freshwater pens and shellfish (oysters and mussels) on rafts and lines in the sea As one of a number of organisations regulating finfish aquaculture, SEPA's job is to protect the marine environment for the people of Scotland. We d

SEPA, as one of a number of organisations regulating finfish aquaculture, is implementing a revised regulatory framework that will strengthen the protection of the marine environment for the people of Scotland. We will maintain a high quality environment by setting permit conditions which limit the impacts associated with fish farms and then by ensuring that operators comply with these conditions.

Serious environmental harm could result from construction activities, such as excessive siltation from run-off, impeding fish migration or impacts on fish spawning. A number of construction-related activities therefore require authorisation from SEPA. The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011, more commonly known as CAR regulations, and their amendments cover activi

Biodiversity is a key element that needs to be considered in many planning systems. River basin management planning (RBMP) Through RBMP we work with our partners to identify, prioritise and deliver biodiversity enhancement and protection of the water environment. The Land Use Strategy and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy call for a more integrated approach to land and water management across who

Information on the ban to end on-farm burning of waste and information to support land managers in how to progress alternatives. Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland's environment and from 1 January 2019 we will strictly enforce the requirements of waste legislation, bringing an end to the practice of burning most types of agricultural waste on farms, including farm plastics. Compliance with this is non-negotiable. Ending the exemption follows extensive engagement between SEPA, Scottish Government, Zero Wast