Defra tenders £200k research project on current environment harms caused by farming in England The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has gone out to tender with a contract for a research project on current environment harms caused by farming and land management activities in England worth an estimated £200,000. Defra is looking to establish […]

Read More

Another example of the way Defra and Ministers are approaching the growing problem of nutrient pollution from farming and other inputs. The most recent site example is the downgrading of ecological status on the Somerset levels. Angling Trust ‘Government says it has ‘no legal obligation’ to produce reports – six years after consent order. WWF, […]

Read More

This latest Thames water major pollution incident is a timely reminder for the Environmental Audit Committee and their work on water quality in rivers (watch the evidence) of the growing risks of major storms driving significant pollution events. Thames Water has depressing recent record of sewage pollution incidents. Thames Water fined £4 million after catastrophic […]

Read More

There is a torrent of information on the Defra website at present in connection with sustainable farming standards, including on how land managers can create lakes and ponds to benefit wildlife and improve the landscape.  Defra ‘Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot: environmental outcomes and benefits The 8 standards include one on ‘Water Body Buffering’ will help […]

Read More

Natural Capital Evidence Handbook: to support place-based planning and decision-making – NERR092 (naturalengland.org.uk) This report and associated publications is about how to come to shared strategic understanding about the natural environment, in a place, using a natural capital evidence base. It is about working collaboratively and in partnership so that we can do more to […]

Read More