The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and Environment Agency are reforming the regulatory framework for recycling sewage sludge and effluent in agriculture, including new rules for marketing fertilising products and establishing a single water regulator to consolidate functions currently split across Natural England, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate. The government plans to publish a transition plan for these reforms in 2026, with the aim of ensuring independent scrutiny and auditing while managing farmer compliance complexity.
We’re asking for views on potential options to reform the framework governing sludge use in agriculture.
Sewage sludge (hereafter ‘sludge’) is the residual solid waste generated from wastewater treatment. Most sludge is produced and treated by Water and Sewerage Companies. It can also be produced from the treatment of private sewage (i.e., septic tank sludge). 94.4% …
The UK government, the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive (collectively referred to as ‘all four governments’) have worked together to produce a consultation and call for evidence on modernising fertilisers legislation.
The United Kingdom (UK) government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive (referred to collectively as ‘all four governments’) have worked together to produce this consultation and call for evidence, which focuses on proposals to repeal existi
Sewage sludge (hereafter ‘sludge’) is the residual solid waste generated from wastewater treatment. Most sludge is produced and treated by Water and Sewerage Companies. It can also be produced from the treatment of private sewage (i.e., septic tank sludge). 94.4% …
We’re asking for views on potential options to reform the framework governing sludge use in agriculture.
Seeking views on our plans to update how internal drainage boards allocate their costs to farmers and local authorities.
Seeking views on our plans to update how internal drainage boards allocate their costs to farmers and local authorities.
By mid-2025, the Government should develop an action plan setting out how it will make organic inputs a more economical choice for farmers. This should include measures that boost the availability and diversity of organic inputs to achieve soil health …
By the end of 2025, the Government and Environment Agency should review the current regulations for the production, testing and application of organic inputs to make sure that are delivering enough protections against soil contamination. This review should set out …
Leaving the European Union has given us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to review how we make and shape Great Britain's regulatory framework for food and drink. The current 400-page rulebook for wine is overly complex and bureaucratic. It blocks innovation in …
Leaving the European Union has given us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to review how we make and shape Great Britain's regulatory framework for food and drink. The current 400-page rulebook for wine is overly complex and bureaucratic. It blocks innovation in …