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  1. Surveys
  2. 2014
  3. May
  4. I
  5. Irrigation and Water Use Policy

Irrigation and Water Use Policy

Irrigation and Water Use Policy
0%
Exit Survey
 
 
Hello

You are invited to participate in the Potato Council's survey on irrigation and water use policy.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) was introduced in 2000 by the European Union, with the aim of improving the quality of all water bodies. Many previously established agricultural water use directives are now included under the common framework of the WFD. And in the future, changes in the WFD will result in new water use practices on farms.

We would welcome your views on irrigation and water use policy, your responses will help shape the stratagies Potato Council implement to help growers adapt to changing water use policy in the future. It will take 5 to 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire.

Your participation in this study is encouraged but completely voluntary. There are no foreseeable risks associated with this project. However, if you feel uncomfortable answering any questions, you can withdraw from the survey at any point.

Your survey responses will be strictly confidential and data from this research will be reported only in the aggregate. Your information will be coded and will remain confidential. If you have questions at any time about the survey or the procedures, you may contact our technical executive, Chris Steele on 024 7647 2051 or by using the email address specified below.

Thank you very much for your time and support. Please start with the survey now by clicking on the Continue button below.
 
 
 
1. What region of Great Britain is your farm in?
 
Scotland
 
North East England
 
North West England
 
East Midlands
 
West Midlands
 
Wales
 
East England
 
South East England
 
South West England
 
 
 
2. Are you a tenant or do you own your farm?
 
Tenant
 
Own
 
 
 
3. What is the area that you grow potatoes over on your farm (to the nearest hectare)? (Please choose one only)
 
<20
 
20-39
 
40-59
 
60-79
 
And above
 
 
 
4. What is the approximate potato yield on your farm over the last five years (to the nearest number of tonnes per hectare)? (Please choose one only)
 
<35
 
35-39
 
40-44
 
45-49
 
50-55
 
And above
 
 
 
5. What is the end market of your potatoes after harvest? (Tick all that apply)
 
Fresh potatoes
 
Processed
 
Seed
 
Non-human use

 
 
 
6. Apart from potatoes, what other crops do you currently grow on your farm? (Tick all that apply)
 
I only grow potatoes
 
Cabbage
 
Turnips
 
Wheat
 
Barley
 
Oilseed rape
 
Other (please specify)
 

 
 
 
7. Before today, did you know the reasons behind the formation of the WFD, and what it aims to achieve going forward? (Choose the most appropriate statement below)
 
I have heard of the WFD but do not know about its aims
 
I know about the WFD and how it affects my farm, but not about its general aims
 
I fully understand the aims and objectives of the WFD
 
I haven’t heard of the WFD
 
 
 
8. Do you know which water use directives are now under the common framework of the WFD? (Choose the most appropriate statement below)
 
I have a good idea which water use directives are part of the WFD
 
I am aware of this, but don’t know any specifics
 
I fully understand which water use directives are part of the WFD
 
No, I am not aware of this
 
 
 
9. Have changes in the WFD affected the way you use water on your farm? (Choose the most appropriate statement below)
 
Yes, to a limited extent
 
Yes, the WFD affects my water use greatly
 
No
 
Don’t know
 
 
 
10. It has been 14 years since the WFD was passed in law, and it is not yet fully implemented. Do you understand reasons behind this? (Choose the most appropriate statement below)
 
I have a slight understanding
 
I have a good understanding
 
I fully understand the time frame involved with the WFD implementation
 
No, I don’t know the reasons behind time taken to implement the WFD
 
 
 
11. Is there a source of surface water (e.g. a river or stream) on your farm?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
12. Which water sources do you use to irrigate your potato crop? (Tick all that apply)
 
Surface water (e.g. a river or stream)
 
Ground water
 
Bore Hole
 
Mains
 
Winter storage reservoir

 
 
 
13. What is preventing you from having a winter storage reservoir? (Tick all that apply)
 
Planning restriction
 
Red tape
 
Space
 
Impact on the environment
 
Cost of build
 
I don’t want a winter storage reservoir, it would not benefit my farm

 
 
 
14. What equipment do you use to irrigate your potato crops? (Tick all that apply)
 
Rain gun
 
Lateral boom
 
Centre point
 
Trickle/drip
 
Permanent set sprinkler
 
Other
 
Other (please specify)
 
 
 
 
15.Do you employ scheduled irrigation?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
16. Which method of scheduling do you use? (Tick all that apply)
 
Neutron probe
 
Tensiometer
 
Time domain reflectometry
 
Computerised balance sheet
 
Manual watering
 
Capacitance probe
 
Spade and feeling the soil
 
Watching the neighbour
 
Other (please specify)
 

 
 
 
17. Do you keep rainfall records?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
18. Would you be able to produce a water usage map of your farm?
 
Yes
 
No
 
Don't know
 
 
 
19. Do you try to improve the irrigation practices on your farm? (Choose the most appropriate statement below)
 
Yes, to a limited extent
 
Yes, I keep up-to-date with the latest advances in irrigation technology
 
Yes, I collaborate with other farmers
 
No
 
Don’t know
 
 
 
20. If you adapted your irrigation practices, could you realistically reduce the volume of surface water you use for irrigation, whilst maintaining your current potato yield? (Choose the most appropriate statement below)
 
I could probably reduce surface water volume for irrigation
 
I am confident I could reduce surface water volume for irrigation
 
No, my yield would drop if I reduced surface water volume for irrigation
 
I don’t know