Catchment Sensitive Farming
Introduction
Water pollution, such as from sewage and industrial effluent, is normally easy to monitor as it generally arises from a single source. Diffuse water pollution, however, arises from many sources and is more difficult to tackle.
Run off from transport, on-street activities such as car washing, discharges from contaminated land and herbicides from fish farming all contribute to diffuse pollution.
The single biggest threat of diffuse water pollution however, is from agriculture. This is unsurprising, as agriculture covers 70% of the land area of England and sources of diffuse pollution, including nutrients from fertilisers and manure, are essential parts of farming. Increases in nutrient levels can result in toxic algal blooms, resulting in adverse impacts on the food chain which supports fish, animals and birds.
A ‘diffuse sources’ consultation was launched on 21 August 2007 inviting comments on three policy options for tackling diffuse pollution from agriculture. The consultation document was issued in conjunction with consultations on the Nitrates Directive and on a revised Code of Good Agricultural Practice to protect water, soil and air quality. The ‘diffuse sources’ consultation closed on 13 November 2007.
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Page last modified: 20 December 2007
Page published 27 June 2002