Policy paper

Reducing pollution from agriculture across Wessex

Updated 1 December 2020

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reducing-pollution-from-agriculture-across-wessex/reducing-pollution-from-agriculture-across-wessex

The Environment Agency has been working with more than 10 partners to reduce pollution from agriculture in rivers, lakes, ditches and groundwater in Somerset, Dorset, the Bristol Avon and Hampshire Avon catchments.

Agriculture is a significant employer and the dominant land user; farmers grow essential crops and produce livestock as part of our national food production. However farming activities can result in pollutants like phosphates, nitrates, sediment and pesticides entering our waters and this can have a major impact on the quality of both our rivers and groundwaters. Other pollution sources, such as sewage treatment works and septic tanks, are tackled outside of this programme.

Many farmers have made significant changes to improve soil and nutrient management. This has been through changes in the use of chemicals, changed cropping practices and improvements to farm infrastructure. Additional work with the farming community is required, to encourage them to move from minimum requirements to best practice or beyond.

Reducing pollution can only be done by assisting farmers and land managers to meet their obligations by adopting optimum land management practices, with all partners working together to deliver actions that achieve water quality improvements. The Environment Agency is in partnership with:

  • Catchment Sensitive Farming/Natural England
  • Country Land and Business Association
  • Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
  • National Farmers Union
  • water companies
  • the 5 catchment partnerships, covering Somerset, Dorset Stour, Poole Harbour, Bristol Avon and the Hampshire Avon

You can read the joint position statement setting out the principles partners have adopted by working together. There are also nitrogen reduction plans for Hampshire Avon and Poole harbour.

Contact

For more information email wessexenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

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