The government has proposed a set of new and clearer farming rules aimed at improving water quality, reducing pollution in rivers and giving farmers greater confidence to produce food sustainably. The proposals respond to ongoing concerns about agricultural pollution, which currently affects around 41 per cent of England’s rivers, lakes and streams.
A public consultation launched alongside the proposals focuses on strengthening controls on the spreading of sewage sludge on farmland. The measures seek to provide stronger protection for human health and the environment by addressing the risks posed by harmful contaminants, with options under consideration to bring sewage sludge regulation within the Environmental Permitting framework.
At the same time, the government plans to simplify existing agricultural water rules to reduce duplication and complexity. By streamlining the regulatory framework, the reforms aim to make compliance easier for farmers, helping them better understand their responsibilities while maintaining high environmental standards.
These changes form part of wider government efforts to deliver the Environmental Improvement Plan, cut ammonia emissions from farming and implement reforms set out in the Water White Paper, which outlines a major overhaul of how England’s water system is regulated and managed. The proposals were presented by the Water and Farming Ministers during discussions with key stakeholders from the farming, water and environmental sectors.
The approach emphasizes partnership with the farming community, combining clearer regulation with practical support. This includes expanded advice-led inspections, increased guidance and continued investment through environmental land management schemes, catchment-based advice programmes and targeted infrastructure grants. Together, these measures are intended to help farms reduce pollution, protect water resources and strengthen the long-term resilience of the agricultural sector.
