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11 January 2022 - Farming rules for water - Oral evidence

Committee Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry Farming rules for water

Tuesday 11 January 2022

Start times: 2:00pm (private) 2:30pm (public)


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Purpose of the session

Water pollution is a serious and growing concern. However, the Committee has been told by farmers and the water industry that the government body responsible for implementing the regulations, the Environment Agency (EA), is interpreting the rules in a way that prevents farmers from the traditional spreading of manure in autumn for a spring crop and may be causing other forms of environmental damage.

However, the EA has previously told the Committee that there is nothing in its interpretation “that stops autumn application of appropriate organic fertilisers”.

Given the ongoing disagreement, the Committee will hear from both sides in a public evidence session and seek to identify how farming and environmental concerns can both be addressed.

Meeting details

At 2:00pm: Private discussion
Work Farming rules for water (Non-inquiry session)
At 2:30pm: Oral evidence
Work Farming rules for water (Non-inquiry session)
Chief Executive at Tenant Farmers Association
Director of Policy at Water UK
Soil Microbiologist at Rothamsted Research
At 3:30pm: Oral evidence
Work Farming rules for water (Non-inquiry session)
Deputy Director for Agriculture at Environment Agency
Executive Director at Environment Agency

Location

The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

How to attend