The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has proposed new rules that aim to help improve water quality, reduce pollution in rivers, and give farmers the confidence to grow food sustainably.
According to Defra, 41% of England’s rivers, lakes and streams are currently affected by agricultural pollution.
The department said the new proposals, by increasing oversight on sewage sludge spreading, will provide stronger protection for waterways as a result.
A consultation launched yesterday (January 27), proposed tighter controls on the spreading of sewage sludge on farmland, including options to bring it under the Environmental Permitting Regulations.
This is in order to better protect human health and the environment from harmful contaminants.
Existing agriculture water rules will be simplified, cutting unnecessary duplication and complexity, and making it easier for farmers to understand and follow the rules, according to Defra.
Proposals
Water Minister Emma Hardy and Farming Minister Angela Eagle set out the plans at a roundtable with key farming, water and environmental stakeholders.
Water Minister, Emma Hardy said: “By setting clearer guidelines and providing better support, we’re making it simpler for farmers to meet standards, farm sustainably and protect our environment.”
These measures form an important part of delivering the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan, aimed at reducing ammonia emissions from farming, and the Water White Paper: a major overhaul of how England’s water system is regulated and managed.
According to Defra, “funding to double the number of advice-led inspections has been introduced, enabling at least 6,000 inspections a year by 2029”.
This 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, protect water and strengthen their long‑term resilience.
Jennie Donovan, Environment Agency director at Nature and Place, stated: “We support the government’s plans to strengthen the regulation of sludge use, with our preferred option being to move it into Environmental Permitting Regulations.
“These proposed changes will reduce risks to human health and tighten environmental protections.
“We will continue to work closely with the water industry, farmers and partner organisations to support this regulatory reform.”
These proposed changes build on last summer’s ministerial roundtable, where the government established the Addressing Pollution from Agriculture programme, working with farming and environmental stakeholders to drive reform of agricultural water regulations.
