Farming: New Welsh rules on reducing river pollution delayed

Controversial rules aimed at reducing agricultural pollution in rivers are being delayed by three months, the Welsh government has announced. 5 October 2022

click link: Farming: New Welsh rules on reducing river pollution delayed - BBC News

Scrapping farm nature payments may worsen English river pollution up to 20%

Weakening or scrapping the nature-friendly farmingpayment schemescould increase river pollution by up to 20%, an analysis has found.

The payments are due to replace the EU’s area-based payments scheme, in which farmers are paid for the amount of land they manage. The new system would instead pay land managers to provide “public goods” such as enhanced nature and clean rivers.

click link: Scrapping farm nature payments may worsen English river pollution up to 20% | Rivers | The Guardian

Livestock farming polluted rivers 300 times in one year

Livestock farms in England polluted rivers 300 times last year, causing 20 major incidents, according to the latest government figures.

Yet only six farms were prosecuted in 2021, with the Environment Agency giving out warning letters instead.

click link: Livestock farming polluted rivers 300 times in one year - BBC News

Farmers’ union called UK environment targets ‘irrational’ and ‘unachievable’

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) raised questions about the government’s proposed targets on water pollution, tree planting and rewilding, calling them “irrational” and “unachievable”, according to documents published by the environment department.

click link: Farmers’ union called UK environment targets ‘irrational’ and ‘unachievable’ | Farming | The Guardian

Loophole lets farmers pollute England’s rivers with excess manure – report

A loophole in pollution legislation allows farmers to pollute rivers by spreading excess manure, an investigation has found, with those acting unlawfully not facing any action in most cases. The government introduced new farming rules for water in 2018, aimed at cleaning up England’s waterways. However, after lobbying from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), including at least two meetings with ministers, the guidance was watered down.

click link: Loophole lets farmers pollute England’s rivers with excess manure – report | Rivers | The Guardian

Plasma-treated slurry reveals promising results in trials

Independent trial data assessing the impact of plasma-treated slurry as a replacement of artificial fertiliser has revealed promising results when tested oncrops ofwinter wheat and grass. The novel technology developed by Norwegian firm N2 Applied uses air and electricity to boost the nitrogen (N) content of liquid manures and aims to help farmers reduce nutrient losses and improve crop performance.

click link: Plasma-treated slurry reveals promising results in trials - Farmers Weekly (fwi.co.uk)

Government faces legal action over sewage sludge on farmland

An environmental campaign group is taking legal action against the government, accusing it of axing its pledge to regulate microplastics and chemicals in sewage sludge spread over farmland.

Fighting Dirty, which comprises campaigners George Monbiot, Georgia Elliott-Smith and Steve Hynd, argues that the government reneged on its commitment to bring the regulation of sewage sludge into the Environmental Permitting Regime (EPR) by 2023.

click link: Government faces legal action over sewage sludge on farmland - Farmers Weekly (fwi.co.uk)