Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Paragraph: 41
The current range of pollutants being monitored is too narrow.
Conclusion
The current range of pollutants being monitored is too narrow. The Environment Agency must begin work to extend the number of substances it is regularly monitoring in rivers. Existing datasets do not provide a comprehensive picture of risks to human health, aquatic life nor microplastic contamination in rivers.
Paragraph Reference:
41
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees that engaging stakeholders on antimicrobial resistance in the environment will be a valuable step following the Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food and the Environment programme. We are already engaging with water companies and UK Water Industry Research on their Chemicals Investigation Programme which includes work to help better understand the possible contribution from water industry assets and releases (both effluent and sludges) to the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Catchment partnerships also create a highly successful mechanism for local stakeholders, including water companies and farming groups, to work together on various water quality issues affecting catchments. We are expanding our evidence base all the time and we will also look to engage directly with farming groups to identify actions and opportunities for reducing resistance in the water environment.