Environmental News

The British farming community has responded to the recent warning by the Climate Change Committee, which said the extreme winter rainfall, which is set to become more frequent with climate change, is overwhelming the ability of farmland to regulate pollution, putting water quality and aquatic ecosystems at growing risk.

With many effective soil insecticides now banned and remaining options offering limited efficacy, growers face increasing challenges in managing these pests.

Farmers have been asked to have their say on a proposal to increase the Environment Agency’s regulatory charges.

Farmers have been warned to comply with rules on taking water following a number of unlicensed abstractions found in Devon and Cornwall during routine farm inspections, the Environment Agency said. 

Following the driest March in over six decades, farmers should expect the weather to get wetter and cooler from mid-April. However, some farmers have already acted, preparing themselves for future drought. 

An Essex-based chemical manufacturing company has been fined £2.5 million following two incidents of uncontrolled releases of highly corrosive acids at its site in West Thurrock. 

Farmers who find themselves in an NVZ (nitrate vulnerable zone) from 2025 to 2028 will receive a letter from Defra and will be given an opportunity to appeal the decision, NFU warns.

Safety concerns have been raised in regard to the controversial plans for a huge solar farm that is set to be built on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border. 

Defra has just announced a new proposal to ban heather burning on peatland, which aims to protect air, water and wildlife.

Food and finance businesses including McCain Foods, McDonald’s, Lloyds Banking Group, Waitrose & Partners, NatWest and Barclays have joined forces to launch the Routes to Regen project.

Significant change to the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is needed if the Scottish Government’s policy objectives for land reform are to be met, said Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee.

The annual Household Food Management Survey has revealed that despite being a nation of food lovers, when it comes to food waste, fresh produce is the UK’s most binned item.