How to Write a Farm Environmental Risk Assessment
A practical guide to the risk matrix method, the six environmental aspects every farm ERA must address, a complete worked example for a mixed farm, and a blank template to adapt and use.
Published 20 May 2026 · 12 min read
An environmental risk assessment (ERA) is a structured way of identifying what could go wrong environmentally on your farm, how likely it is, how serious the consequences would be, and what you are already doing — or need to do — to prevent it. It sits alongside your environmental policy (the strategic commitment) and your nutrient management plan (the technical detail on nutrients) as one of the three core environmental management documents on a well-managed UK farm.
Unlike a health and safety risk assessment, an environmental ERA focuses on harm to the surrounding environment — watercourses, soil, air, habitats and wildlife — rather than harm to people. The methodology is the same: identify hazards, assess probability and consequence, determine overall risk, record controls.
When You Need a Farm Environmental Risk Assessment
SFI actions & Countryside Stewardship
Many SFI actions and CS higher tier agreements require evidence of environmental risk management as part of the management plan submitted to DEFRA.
Red Tractor & farm assurance
Red Tractor requires compliance with environmental legislation and evidence of management. Higher assurance levels require documented risk assessment.
Planning applications
Planning applications for new farm buildings, slurry stores, biogas plants and diversification projects typically require an environmental risk assessment from the local planning authority.
Environmental permit applications
EA environmental permits for water abstraction, waste management, emissions to air or discharge to watercourse require a formal environmental risk assessment.
Farm finance and insurance
Agricultural lenders and pollution liability insurers increasingly request evidence of environmental risk management. A documented ERA demonstrates active management.
Diversification with environmental impact
Glamping, farm shops, food processing, AD plants, equestrian operations — any new enterprise with potential environmental impact benefits from a documented ERA.
The Risk Matrix — Probability × Consequence
Every environmental risk assessment uses a risk matrix to score hazards. You assess each hazard on two dimensions — how likely is it to occur (probability) and how serious would the environmental harm be if it did (consequence) — and combine them to give an overall risk rating.
Probability
Unlikely to occur under normal operating conditions. Controls are well established and consistently applied.
Could occur occasionally — perhaps annually. Controls exist but are not always reliable or consistently applied.
Likely to occur regularly if no specific preventive action is taken.
Consequence
Minor, localised and reversible environmental impact. No regulatory action expected. Resolved quickly with existing resources.
Significant local environmental impact or persistent minor impact. Likely to attract EA attention. Recovery requires active remediation.
Major or irreversible environmental impact — watercourse kill, habitat destruction, widespread contamination. EA prosecution likely.
Overall risk = Probability × Consequence
| Probability ↓ / Consequence → | Low consequence | Medium consequence | High consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| High probability | Medium | High | High |
| Medium probability | Low | Medium | High |
| Low probability | Low | Low | Medium |
What the risk level means in practice: High risk — requires immediate action to reduce risk before the activity continues. Medium risk — additional control measures should be implemented as soon as reasonably practicable. Low risk — acceptable with existing controls; monitor and review annually.
Six Environmental Aspects Every Farm ERA Must Address
Click each aspect to see the full hazard table including typical probability, consequence and control measures for a mixed UK farm.
Worked Example — Mixed Arable and Livestock Farm
This extract shows how a typical 250ha mixed farm might present five of the highest-priority environmental risks in their ERA. The full ERA for this farm would typically cover 20–35 hazards across all six aspects.
| Activity | Risk |
|---|---|
| Slurry spreading | Medium |
| Spraying herbicide | Low |
| Silage making | Medium |
| Fuel oil storage | Medium |
| Livestock in fields near stream | Medium |
Extract only — a full ERA would include hazard, receptors, pathway, probability, consequence, overall risk and controls for all 20–35 hazards identified.
Blank ERA Template
Copy this table structure into a Word document or spreadsheet, then complete a row for each hazard you identify across the six aspects.
Keeping Your ERA Up to Date
An ERA completed once and filed is worth little. The value comes from keeping it current and using it as an active management tool. Review your ERA:
Annually — as a minimum, at the same time as your environmental policy review
After any environmental incident or near miss on the farm
When you introduce a new enterprise, new chemical, new machinery or new process
When your environment changes — new housing nearby, change in watercourse designation, new agri-environment scheme obligations
When legislation changes — new NVZ rules, new pesticide regulations, updated EA guidance
Before any planning application or permit application that requires it
Environment Agency 24-hour incident hotline: 0800 807060
If a pollution incident occurs on your farm — slurry discharge, fuel spill, pesticide entering a watercourse — call the EA immediately. Early reporting demonstrates good faith and can significantly reduce the severity of any regulatory response. Do not wait to see if the impact is serious. Display this number at key points on the farm.
Tools to support your ERA
Use AgriOps calculators to support the specific controls identified in your environmental risk assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Articles & Tools
For guidance only. Environmental risk assessments for planning applications, EA permits or formal agri-environment submissions may need to be prepared by a qualified environmental consultant. This guide does not constitute professional environmental advice. Always consult your local Environment Agency, Natural England, or a suitably qualified environmental professional for site-specific requirements.