MPs to examine current priorities of the Environment Agency, from water and agricultural pollution to climate resilience
Created to bring all environmental regulation under one roof, the Environment Agency (EA) remit covers over 40 regulatory regimes that aim to protect England’s air, water and land quality.
On Tuesday 28 October, MPs on the EFRA Committee will question the Chair and Chief Executive of the EA to understand the priorities for its leadership. The session will range across questions of resourcing and staffing to regulation of the agricultural sector, tackling water pollution and water security.
Recent reviews suggest the powers of the EA are to be reduced. The Independent Water Commission (July 2025) proposed a new integrated water regulator while a Cabinet Office review is looking to redefine the role of arm’s length bodies across government departments.
The EA faces questions about the organisation’s oversight of environmental protection and inspections. Some suggest that the EA may be too risk-averse to using enforcement powers, which have recently been increased. Criticisms of the EA’s handling of water regulation will be explored.
Meeting details
MPs will consider the EA’s relationship with farmers, including its approach to inspections, the use of sewage sludge and how the Agency deals with environmental breaches by livestock farmers.
Finally, the Committee will seek an update on the drought situation in England and how the EA plans to deliver water security across different sectors.