U10: spreading waste to benefit agricultural land
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-01)

U10 exemption allows you to spread specific waste on agricultural land to replace manufactured fertilisers or virgin materials (such as lime) to improve or maintain soil.

There’s a charge for most waste exemptions

This exemption is in band 2. Read waste exemption charges (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-exemptions-how-to-choose-register-and-pay/waste-exemption-charges) to find out what the charges and charging bands are.

Type of activity you can carry out

You can spread the waste on agricultural land to improve or maintain the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil to grow crops (for example, you can add chalk to the soil as a liming agent).

Types of activity you cannot carry out

You cannot:
- spread waste that does not benefit the land
- spread waste on non-agricultural land - see related exemptions (#U10-related)
- spread waste that is not listed even if they would provide benefits
- dispose of waste under this exemption, for example applying waste that will not benefit the land, or applying more than is needed to provide benefit
Types and quantities of waste you can use

The waste codes are listed in the List of Wastes (LoW) Regulations. You need to make sure your waste fits within the waste code and the description.

Key to conditions

Key conditions

Waste must be stored in a secure location before it is spread.

You must not spread waste if the land is:
- waterlogged, frozen or covered with snow
- has been frozen for 12 hours or more in the 24 hours before you want to start spreading
Biobed or biofilter material must be stored for 12 months before it is spread.

Waste milk:
- must not be stored for more than 24 hours before it is spread
- must be diluted with an equal or greater amount of water or slurry before it is spread
- can only be spread on the same area once in any 4 week period
Waste other than milk or biobed material must not be stored for longer than 12 months before being spread.

Dredging spoil from maintaining ditches can only be spread on land next to the ditch from which it is dredged.

Sludges, wash waters or effluents from washing fruit or vegetables on a farm can only be spread on land at the same farm.

Other things you need to know

You must keep records of the amount, nature and origin of all waste spread on your land for 2 years. You must make these records available to the Environment Agency if they ask to see them. If you are already required to keep records under the Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 or the Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Wales) Regulations 2015 (the NVZ Rules), you do not need to keep other records.

U10 related exemptions

U11: spreading waste to benefit non-agricultural land (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-u11-spreading-waste-to-benefit-non-agricultural-land)

U12: using mulch (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-u12-using-mulch)

U13: spreading plant matter to provide benefits (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-u13-spreading-plant-matter-to-provide-benefits)

T23: aerobic composting and associated prior treatment (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t23-aerobic-composting-and-associated-prior-treatment)

T24: anaerobic digestion at premises used for agriculture and burning resulting biogas (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t24-anaerobic-digestion-at-premises-used-for-agriculture-and-burning-resulting-biogas)

T25: anaerobic digestion at premises not used for agriculture and burning resulting biogas (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t25-anaerobic-digestion-at-premises-not-used-for-agriculture-and-burning-resulting-biogas)

T26: treatment of kitchen waste in a wormery (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t26-treatment-of-kitchen-waste-in-a-wormery)

Register a U10 exemption

You need to register this exemption (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-your-waste-exemptions-environmental-permits) with the Environment Agency if you meet the requirements.