A computer-based decision support system is described which aims to encourage and enhance sound environmental management within agriculture. Part of the system focuses on the management of pesticides on the farm, and can help to ensure that the farmer adopts practices which maximise crop production and profitability without jeopardising the environment. The approach taken looks at all aspects of farm pesticide use including crop applications, storage and waste disposal and the use of non-crop pesticides.As a whole, the system can act as a informal environmental management system. An eco-rating is derived by comparing actual farm practices with what is perceived to be best practice for the site, to provide a measure of environmental performance. The first time the method is used these indices act as bench-marks against which the success of future improvements can be judged.The system has three modes of operation. An "assessment mode" seeks to identify strengths and weakness in practices and regulatory compliance and to provide guidance on areas where improvements could be made. In support of this a second mode known as the "technical system" allows the user to explore 'what-if' scenarios in order to identify site specific best practice and aims to provide answers to the issues raised in the assessment mode. The third mode is a fully integrated hypertext information system containing a range of context-sensitively mapped text on agriculture and the environment which can be used on a stand-alone basis or accessed from any part of the software system.

The University of Hertfordshire, in collaboration with two UK agricultural establishments, ADAS and IACR‒Rothamsted, is developing a computerised decision support system for environmental management of arable agriculture. Part of this system is aimed towards encouraging sound farmland conservation to protect existing plants and animals, to encourage greater biodiversity and to help the farming community adopt more sustainable practices. The software aims to assess performance, help identify areas where improvements to existing habitats can be made and highlight the potential for new habitat creation. The assessment routines used determine a numerical eco‒rating and textual description of performance by comparing actual practices with best practice. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment.

Discussions are often found in the environmental press about the possible advantages to an organization of implementing a formal environmental management system such as BS 7750, ISO 14001 and the EC Eco‐Management and Audit Scheme. It is also widely recognized that these formal systems, although theoretically applicable to all, are often seen by many organizations as being too unwieldy, too prescriptive, frequently too expensive and often too public. However, there are many alternative options available to organizations who do not wish to commit themselves to a formal accredited system. The various options currently in use for informal environmental management in agriculture are discussed, with particular reference to a computerized system being developed at the University of Hertfordshire. Application examples are taken from the agricultural industry. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

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The development of a decision support system aims to encourage farmers in the UK to adopt a more environmentally friendly approach to their daily activities. Part of the system concentrates on crop protection encouraging best practice and the principles of integrated pest management. The system compares actual practices on a field by field basis with what is perceived to be best practice and, using scoring techniques, derives numerical performance indices, known as eco-ratings, which lie on a defined scale. The conceptual framework of the system is designed such that by analysing past decisions it can help to identify strengths and weaknesses of current practices and so support future decisions and planning. This paper presents some of the evaluation work and provides examples and information on the scoring system used. The examples used illustrate the success of the system in providing the user with sufficient advice and information such that informed decisions regarding pesticide choice, application and general management can be made. An associated paper (Part 1) in this journal details the theory, design and development of the methodology.