Policy paper

Environment Agency strategy for safe and sustainable sludge use

This strategy sets out our purpose, principles and priorities for how we will enable safe and sustainable sludge use on land.

• From: Environment Agency
• Published: 17 March 2020
• Last updated: 28 January 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Environment Agency strategy for safe and sustainable sludge use

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Details

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs are currently consulting on sludge reform. You can view the consultation here: Consultation on the regulatory framework for sludge applied to agriculture.

We will review the Environment Agency strategy for safe and sustainable sludge use following the outcome of the consultation.

It sets out how we will:

• enable safe and sustainable sludge use on land
• modernise and clarify the regulatory framework
• develop a consistent approach with the water and waste industry
• protect human health and the environment

Published 17 March 2020

Last updated 28 January 2026 + show all updates

1. 28 January 2026

   Added a link to the Defra consultation on sludge reform. We will review the Environment Agency strategy for safe and sustainable sludge use following the outcome of the consultation.

2. 1 August 2023

   We have removed reference to 2023 as the strategy’s timeline is under review. We have also fixed and updated links.

3. 15 July 2020

   We have changed the date for implementing the strategy from 2021 to 2023.

4. 17 March 2020

   First published.