Options for informal environmental management : the agricultural industry highlighted

Discussions are frequently found in the environmental press regarding the possible advantages to an organisation should they implement a formal environmental management system such as BS 7750, ISO 14001 and the EC Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). It is also widely recognised that these formal systems, although theoretically applicable to all, are often seen by many organisations as being too unwieldy, too prescriptive, frequently too expensive and often too public. However, there are many alternative options available to organisations who do not wish to commit themselves to a formal accredited system. This paper discusses the various options currently in use for informal environmental management in agriculture with particular reference to a computerised system being developed at the University of Hertfordshire. Application examples are taken from the agricultural industry.