Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 125
The agricultural sector has a responsibility for improving water quality in rivers, just as the...
Recommendation
The agricultural sector has a responsibility for improving water quality in rivers, just as the water industry and other stakeholders do. The Farming Rules for Water ought to be amended over time so as to reduce phosphorus surpluses in land and water and thereby improve water quality. This must be done in a way that promotes cooperation from farmers. The Environment Agency must recognise the impact on the sector of rule changes made with insufficient notice or options for mitigation.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government response discusses the Environment Agency developing systems to analyze data from Event Duration Monitors, but does not address the recommendation to amend the Farming Rules for Water or the need for cooperation with farmers.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
125
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
The Government agrees that minimum standards for mitigating water pollution from agriculture should evolve over time to improve water quality by reflecting best farming practice, technological innovation and the needs of consumers. The Government is already taking action to improve the effectiveness of the regulatory framework. Defra has issued guidance on the Farming Rules for Water to provide clarity on what is expected of farmers to make best use of organic manures to reduce nitrate, phosphorus and sediment pollution. The slurry infrastructure grant scheme, explained in more detail below, is a further key part of this package of measures.
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