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To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the Agriculture and the water environment: 2026 report, published by the Environment Agency on 30 June, which identified antimicrobial resistance in materials spread on agricultural land, what plans they have to monitor antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and genes in the agricultural water environment; and...
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the Agriculture and the water environment: 2026 report, published by the Environment Agency on 30 June, which identified antimicrobial resistance in materials spread on agricultural land, what plans they have to monitor antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and genes in the agricultural water environment; and...
This Government takes agricultural water pollution seriously. The department are bringing agricultural regulations together into a single, clear and robust set of requirements to help reduce water pollution. The detail of these reforms is still being developed.
Defra recently consulted on the best way to regulate the use of sewage sludge on farms. The consultation sought views on options to make the regulatory framework more agile as new evidence emerges about contaminant risks.
The department continue to develop the evidence base on contaminants in sludge by bringing stakeholders together to identify evidence gaps and shape future research priorities. Defra also are supporting the work of the water industry-funded Chemicals Investigation Programme to explore new treatment technologies to remove contaminants from sludge.
To ask His Majesty's Government what additional steps they plan to take following the spillage of an estimated 1 billion nurdles into the River Tyne on 19 July, in particular the steps they plan to take to protect environmentally sensitive areas such as Marsden Bay.
To ask His Majesty's Government what additional steps they plan to take following the spillage of an estimated 1 billion nurdles into the River Tyne on 19 July, in particular the steps they plan to take to protect environmentally sensitive areas such as Marsden Bay.
Through a multi-agency effort, this Government is working closely with a range of partners to monitor and respond to the nurdle spill in the River Tyne. Clean-up operations are underway, with particular attention being given to environmentally sensitive locations, including Marsden Bay.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the environmental impact of requiring sofas and other furniture containing persistent organic pollutants to be incinerated at 800°C alongside clinical waste as per Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the environmental impact of requiring sofas and other furniture containing persistent organic pollutants to be incinerated at 800°C alongside clinical waste as per Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
There is a growing concern about the health and environmental impacts of some chemical flame retardants, including tris(chloropropyl) phosphate. In June 2025, the Environment Agency published a scoping review of flame retardants relevant to the GB market. This year the Health and Safety Executive added several flame retardants to the UK REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern, signalling their potential for further regulatory control.
There is a growing body of evidence to support action to reduce the volume of chemical flame retardants used to enable upholstered furniture to pass flammability tests set out in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade recently ran a consultation on a set of policy proposals that aim to maintain a high level of fire safety, while meaningfully reducing the reliance on chemical flame retardants.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the health risks from industrial emissions to residents living near the Stanlow oil refinery; and what regular monitoring of potentially harmful chemicals they conduct within a three-mile radius of the refinery.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the health risks from industrial emissions to residents living near the Stanlow oil refinery; and what regular monitoring of potentially harmful chemicals they conduct within a three-mile radius of the refinery.
All large industrial facilities, such as refineries, are regulated by the Environment Agency (EA) and must comply with environmental permits, use best available techniques (BAT) to reduce emissions to air, water and land, and monitor and report their emissions. All inspection reports are published online [https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/index] as part of the EA’s transparent compliance programme.
Air quality monitoring in the community is led by Cheshire West and Chester Council, who monitor and report on local air quality and implement improvements where needed. Details on the local air quality management zones can be found here [https://cheshirewest-air.info/].
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 27 March (HL15802), whether they plan to close the national investigation into water and sewerage service companies launched in November 2021 after the consideration of the three pending charges for the second defendant water company.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 27 March (HL15802), whether they plan to close the national investigation into water and sewerage service companies launched in November 2021 after the consideration of the three pending charges for the second defendant water company.
The three pending charges all relate to Environment Act 1995 Section 110 charges for failing to provide records required within the national investigation into water and sewerage service companies launched in November 2021. They are not the main focus of the investigation which deals with discharges to the environment when not meeting flow to full treatment and insufficient rainfall.
There are no plans to close the investigation after the three charges pending against the second defendant have been settled.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 5 February (HL14037), whether the work being carried out by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment group will result in the meeting of the requirement of the Water Frameworks Directive for...
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 5 February (HL14037), whether the work being carried out by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment group will result in the meeting of the requirement of the Water Frameworks Directive for...
The Government continues to work towards our obligation to restore water bodies to good ecological status and remains committed to securing continuous improvement for the water environment.
The Government has committed in the White Paper to exploring setting new ambitious overarching targets for the water environment. This would enable consistent national oversight and alignment between government, regional water planning, regulators, the water industry and the private sector to better deliver agreed outcomes while maintaining environmental standards.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate continues to contribute to its commitments under the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Roadmap, evidence‑gathering, stakeholder engagement and regulatory review activity relating to fipronil and imidacloprid.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many charges have brought by the Environment Agency with regards to their national criminal investigation into water and sewerage service companies launched on 18 November 2021.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many charges have brought by the Environment Agency with regards to their national criminal investigation into water and sewerage service companies launched on 18 November 2021.
There have been six charges involving two defendant water companies. This includes one conviction and two related acquittals for one defendant, Anglian Water Services Ltd. The other defendant has three charges pending.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the steps being taken to reduce the current levels of fipronil and imidacloprid in rivers will result in meeting their mandated obligation to achieve the Water Frameworks Directive’s requirement for good ecological and chemical status by 2027.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the steps being taken to reduce the current levels of fipronil and imidacloprid in rivers will result in meeting their mandated obligation to achieve the Water Frameworks Directive’s requirement for good ecological and chemical status by 2027.
The Pharmaceuticals in the Environment group, supported by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, has put in place a roadmap for reducing exposure of these substances to water courses, with workstreams looking at several complementary activities. These include educating vets and the pet-owning public, investing in research to plug scientific evidence gaps, including routes to the environment and pet owner behavioural change, and reviewing the guidance for environmental risk assessments, which will all contribute to the desired aim.
Lords motion to take note of the second report of the Environment and Climate Change Committee on Nitrogen: time to reduce, recycle, reuse (HL 161). Agreed to on question.
Lords motion to take note of the second report of the Environment and Climate Change Committee on Nitrogen: time to reduce, recycle, reuse (HL 161). Agreed to on question.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to tighten regulations on the transport and storage of nurdles in line with the EU, and what other measures they will take to reduce the environmental and human health threats of nurdles.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to tighten regulations on the transport and storage of nurdles in line with the EU, and what other measures they will take to reduce the environmental and human health threats of nurdles.
The Government currently has no plans to align nurdle transport and storage regulations with those of the EU.
The Government has supported industry-led initiatives such as Operation Clean Sweep, to promote good practice in pellet loss prevention.
As a Contracting Party to the OSPAR Convention, the UK has led work under the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter, resulting in an OSPAR Recommendation on minimum standards for pellet loss certification schemes. The UK also supported development of a British Standards Institution Publicly Available Specification, published in July 2021, which sets out measures for businesses to reduce pellet loss and complies with the OSPAR Recommendation.
Pellet loss is a global issue, and the UK has called for specific provisions in the new international treaty on plastic pollution to address pellet loss throughout the supply chain. Additionally, the UK is working at the International Maritime Organization to introduce mandatory measures for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers.
My Lords, cleaning up our rivers is a top priority. To tackle agricultural pollution, we are increasing regulatory compliance, reforming environmental land management schemes to prioritise water and promoting innovation. To tackle pollution from abandoned metal mines, we are investing in a programme of water treatment schemes. Finally, we are working with the Department for Transport to review our approach to tackling pollution from road run-off, including tackling chemical contaminants.
My Lords, cleaning up our rivers is a top priority. To tackle agricultural pollution, we are increasing regulatory compliance, reforming environmental land management schemes to prioritise water and promoting innovation. To tackle pollution from abandoned metal mines, we are investing in a programme of water treatment schemes. Finally, we are working with the Department for Transport to review our approach to tackling pollution from road run-off, including tackling chemical contaminants.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to tackle river pollution from sources other than sewage.
On agricultural run-off pollution specifically, which the noble Baroness asked about, we are doubling the funding to the Environment Agency farm inspections and regulatory enforcement team, which will enable it to conduct at least 6,000 inspections a year by 2029, in order to work with farmers to raise standards, which is really important.
The catchment sensitive farming grant—of which my husband and I have been recipients—is designed to address the specific needs of each farm. For example, we have fenced off the river to stop cattle going down and causing pollution and damage to the riverbanks. This supports capital investment in specific ways to stop livestock going in watercourses, for example, as I just mentioned. That also includes improving drainage to manage run-off more effectively.
The sustainable farming incentive scheme pays farmers for actions that protect and enhance our natural environment. That includes things that reduce run-off and erosion, and that will maintain soil cover, create buffer strips and so on. We are also looking at improving farm pollution regulations, which need to be both simple and effective. We have also issued amended statutory guidance on the farming rules for water to set clearer expectations on enforcing the regulations.
On agricultural run-off pollution specifically, which the noble Baroness asked about, we are doubling the funding to the Environment Agency farm inspections and regulatory enforcement team, which will enable it to conduct at least 6,000 inspections a year by 2029, in order to work with farmers to raise standards, which is really important.
The catchment sensitive farming grant—of which my husband and I have been recipients—is designed to address the specific needs of each farm. For example, we have fenced off the river to stop cattle going down and causing pollution and damage to the riverbanks. This supports capital investment in specific ways to stop livestock going in watercourses, for example, as I just mentioned. That also includes improving drainage to manage run-off more effectively.
The sustainable farming incentive scheme pays farmers for actions that protect and enhance our natural environment. That includes things that reduce run-off and erosion, and that will maintain soil cover, create buffer strips and so on. We are also looking at improving farm pollution regulations, which need to be both simple and effective. We have also issued amended statutory guidance on the farming rules for water to set clearer expectations on enforcing the regulations.
I thank the Minister for her response. According to the Cunliffe review, agriculture is the single largest cause of river pollution, with pesticides and nutrients ultimately leading to poor environmental outcomes dangerous to public health and blocking developments in affected catchment areas. If we ignore agriculture, little will be done. Can the Minister say how the Government plan to address this source? Will they need primary legislation to do so, and if so, when can legislation be expected?
Clearly, it is important that we do not have litter blowing into our rivers, causing further damage and pollution, or litter generally, not just going into the watercourses. The Canal & River Trust can make its own decisions, but we work very closely with it and urge it to consider pollution in its decision-making.
Clearly, it is important that we do not have litter blowing into our rivers, causing further damage and pollution, or litter generally, not just going into the watercourses. The Canal & River Trust can make its own decisions, but we work very closely with it and urge it to consider pollution in its decision-making.
My Lords, the Canal & River Trust has removed litter bins from the canal network throughout England and Wales, on the tow-paths. It has a statutory duty to manage litter in England and Wales. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of water pollution on biodiversity and wildlife on our waterways?
The noble Baroness is absolutely right that pollution from chicken farms, particularly in the River Wye, is a huge problem. I have met with people with interests in the River Wye to look at potential solutions to that, and the department is considering how best to deal with it. Planning is an important part of how we manage our sustainable agriculture going forward, and I know that the Farming Minister has been taking a particular interest in how we can look at planning to improve both pollution and animal welfare.
The noble Baroness is absolutely right that pollution from chicken farms, particularly in the River Wye, is a huge problem. I have met with people with interests in the River Wye to look at potential solutions to that, and the department is considering how best to deal with it. Planning is an important part of how we manage our sustainable agriculture going forward, and I know that the Farming Minister has been taking a particular interest in how we can look at planning to improve both pollution and animal welfare.
My Lords, there was a report last week in the Guardian about the operators of intensive chicken and pig units that are apparently withholding their emissions data from the public. Would the Government now follow the recommendations of the Government’s 2022 and 2023 Environmental Audit Committee inquiries and adopt a presumption against expanding intensive chicken and pig production in polluted catchments until there is a plan as to how to
reduce the amount of pollution we already get, which is estimated at 70% in the River Wye from the chicken farms alone?
I can give my noble friend an update on where we are on Camber Sands and Southern Water at the moment. The pollution incident is really worrying, and it is disappointing that it has happened. We are pleased that Southern Water has now taken responsibility for this plastic pollution incident. The Environment Agency is currently conducting a thorough investigation. It is also looking at what regulatory action should be taken and is working with Rother District Council on the clean-up operation. It is absolutely unacceptable that something like this should happen. For too long, these serious pollution events have not been taken seriously. It is absolutely right that the Environment Agency is looking thoroughly at this incident so we can understand exactly what has happened in order to try and prevent it happening again in the future. We need swifter penalties to clamp down on polluters. We have given £104 billion in private investment to help cut exactly this kind of pollution incident.
I can give my noble friend an update on where we are on Camber Sands and Southern Water at the moment. The pollution incident is really worrying, and it is disappointing that it has happened. We are pleased that Southern Water has now taken responsibility for this plastic pollution incident. The Environment Agency is currently conducting a thorough investigation. It is also looking at what regulatory action should be taken and is working with Rother District Council on the clean-up operation. It is absolutely unacceptable that something like this should happen. For too long, these serious pollution events have not been taken seriously. It is absolutely right that the Environment Agency is looking thoroughly at this incident so we can understand exactly what has happened in order to try and prevent it happening again in the future. We need swifter penalties to clamp down on polluters. We have given £104 billion in private investment to help cut exactly this kind of pollution incident.
My Lords, I know that this Question relates specifically to river pollution, but my noble friend will no doubt be aware that there has been a major pollution event in East Sussex on Camber Sands in the recent past. That has resulted in some very necessary clearing up having to be done by a wide range of agencies, but as yet, as I understand it, there is no clear indication of where the pollution came from. Since it represents a serious threat to wildfowl, among other things, in the area, can the Minister tell the House what progress has been made on identifying the source?
As part of dealing with any major area that requires investment and funding, we will of course consider how private investment can support what the Government are trying to achieve. We believe that it is important for us all to pull together to make the right kind of progress.
As part of dealing with any major area that requires investment and funding, we will of course consider how private investment can support what the Government are trying to achieve. We believe that it is important for us all to pull together to make the right kind of progress.
My Lords, the Water (Special Measures) Act, the Cunliffe review and now the Planning and Infrastructure Bill all offer the potential for the mobilisation of greater private capital in dealing with non-sewage pollution in our rivers. Can the Minister inform the House what progress is being made with private sector investment? How big a contribution is planned and how much will therefore be saved for the benefit of the taxpayer? I refer the House to my registered interest as a land and river owner.
The noble Baroness is aware that the Cunliffe review made a number of recommendations, and we are acting very quickly on nine of them. She will also be aware that it is our intention to bring forward a second water Bill in order to tackle properly so many of the issues that we still see in our water industry that are simply not acceptable.
The noble Baroness is aware that the Cunliffe review made a number of recommendations, and we are acting very quickly on nine of them. She will also be aware that it is our intention to bring forward a second water Bill in order to tackle properly so many of the issues that we still see in our water industry that are simply not acceptable.
My Lords, the release of millions of toxic bio-beads happened two weeks ago. Southern Water at first refused to take responsibility and, even now, it is not in charge of a clear-up that would benefit people and wildlife. When will this Government accept that the water companies are incompetent and badly managed and should be nationalised?
I am afraid that I do not have any information on when it will meet again. However, I am more than happy to pass on the noble Earl’s suggestion and concerns to the new Secretary of State in Defra, who I am sure will want to take the best action possible at the next meeting.
I am afraid that I do not have any information on when it will meet again. However, I am more than happy to pass on the noble Earl’s suggestion and concerns to the new Secretary of State in Defra, who I am sure will want to take the best action possible at the next meeting.
My Lords, the Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs last met in June this year; it was very high level and all the top Ministers from the various nations were there. An extensive communiqué was issued in September, but it made no mention of this important topic. Can the Minister assure us that, the next time that the interministerial group meets, this topic will be on the agenda? Can she tell us—directionally, at least—when it will meet again?
Clearly, I cannot comment on a specific case. It is important that, when planning applications are put forward, they are properly considered in the context of pollution.
Clearly, I cannot comment on a specific case. It is important that, when planning applications are put forward, they are properly considered in the context of pollution.
My Lords, does the Minister agree that a key challenge for this Government is the lack of effective planning enforcement? I have a classic example from my own village of Goring-on-Thames in connection with a retrospective application for an Airbnb on a zone 1 flood plain. The Liberal Democrat council accepted a work of fiction by so-called professionals, Taylor Consulting, which even named the wrong village and the wrong river in its report, which was entirely accepted by South Oxfordshire District Council. It completely ignored all kinds of water going into the river, including treated pool water.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to tackle river pollution from sources other than sewage.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to tackle river pollution from sources other than sewage.
My Lords, cleaning up our rivers is a top priority. To tackle agricultural pollution, we are increasing regulatory compliance, reforming environmental land management schemes to prioritise water and promoting innovation. To tackle pollution from abandoned metal mines, we are investing in a programme of water treatment schemes. Finally, we are working with the Department for Transport to review our approach to tackling pollution from road run-off, including tackling chemical contaminants.