LONDON, Jan. 27 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
New, clearer rules proposed today (Tuesday 27 January) willhelp to improve water quality, reduce pollution in ourriversandgive farmers the confidence to grow food sustainably.
41%ofEngland's rivers, lakes and streams are currently affected by agricultural pollution,and theywill get stronger protection undernewproposalstoincreaseoversighton sewage sludge spreading.
Aconsultationlaunched today proposestighter controls on spreading sewage sludge on farmland, including options to bring it undertheEnvironmental PermittingRegulations, to better protect human health and the environment from harmful contaminants.
At the sametime,existing agricultural water rules will be simplified,cutting unnecessary duplication and complexity and making it easier for farmers to understand and follow the rules.
The measures form an important part of delivering the government's Environmental Improvement Plan,reducingammonia emissions from farming,and the Water White Paper - a major overhaul of how England's water system is regulated and managed.
Water Minister Emma Hardy and Farming Minister Angela Eagle set out the plans at a roundtable with key farming,waterand environmental stakeholders today as part of the government's plan to transform Britain's water system.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said:
By setting clearer guidelines and providing better support,we'remaking itsimpler for farmers to meet standards, farm sustainably and protect our environment.
Jennie Donovan,Environment AgencyDirector, Nature and Place, said:
We support government's plans to strengthen the regulation of sludge use, with our preferredoptionbeing to move it into Environmental Permitting Regulations. Our aim isto ensure that sewage sludge can be recycled to agricultural land in a safe and sustainable way.
These proposed changes will reduce risks to human health and tighten environmentalprotections. We will continue to work closely with the water industry, farmers and partner organisations to support this regulatory reform.
The Government's approach to working with the farming sector on water pollution is focused on advice and partnership.Already funding to double the number of advice-led inspections has been introduced, enablingat least 6,000 inspections a year by 2029.
Thissimplified,clearer regulatory approach will sit alongside support through Environmental Land Management schemes, the Catchment Sensitive Farming advice programme and targeted infrastructure grants, helping farm businesses reduce pollution, protectwaterand strengthen their long‑term resilience.
The changesbuild on last summer's ministerial roundtable, where the governmentestablishedthe Addressing Pollution from Agriculture programme, working with farming and environmental stakeholders to drive reform of agricultural water regulations.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
