Agriculture Sector News

New rules to counter diffuse water pollution

The new Farming Rules for Water came into force on 2 April. Designed to prevent diffuse water pollution under the Water Framework Directive, there are eight rules governing the management of manure, soil and fertiliser in order to prevent pollution of watercourses. Defra seems to have heeded some of the advice it received during the consultation period: although the rules sit within a regulatory framework and will be enforced by the Environment Agency (EA), an advice-led approach will be taken in the event of a breach rather than an instant penalty. However, the NFU warns that this more holistic approach may not apply if any of the rules already covered by cross-compliance, or NVZ requirements, are breached. These rules are due to be reviewed in 2021.