UK Government Moves to Boost Water Quality with New Rules for Farmers

New rules to standardise farming practices around the country were launched by the government in a bid to boost the quality of UK water. 

Billed as a "win-win" for both farmers and the environment by Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey, the new regulations cover soil management, fertiliser use, and anti-pollution practices across UK farms. 

Representative image, source: Pixabay

In total eight rules were announced, five covering the use of fertilisers and manures and three on managing soils.

The rules require farmers to more accurately match fertiliser and manure use to the specific needs of their soils, to prevent overuse. Farmers must also now take into account weather and soil conditions before applying treatments, in order to reduce soil erosion and pollution runoff. 

Meanwhile, new rules covering the storage of fertilisers near rivers, lakes and reservoirs were introduced, alongside regulations relating to managing livestock near water bodies. 

Coffey said the regulations will encourage farmers to adopt industry best practices. "They will help improve water quality, set a level playing field for all farmers, help businesses save money from better resource efficiency and improve their resilience," she said. 

The move is part of a series of measures designed to ensure farmers and land managers play a more active role in improving the natural environment.

Read full article: Business Green

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