Photo description: A mixed wildflower meadow, full of purple and yellow flowers. Image by Couleur / Pixabay

Government fails to endorse a proposed Nitrogen Strategy

Government ministers have stopped short of endorsing a dedicated Nitrogen Strategy during a House of Lords inquiry into nitrogen pollution. Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner and Water Minister Emma Hardy acknowledged the complexity of the issue but suggested that current policies, such as the Environmental Improvement Plan and the Plan for Water, may be sufficient, offering no firm commitment to new or expanded frameworks.

Government must show stronger ambition
The response has drawn criticism from the Sustainable Nitrogen Alliance (SNA), which argues that existing initiatives are too fragmented to address the scale of the challenge. With reactive nitrogen linked to biodiversity loss, river pollution, and inefficiencies in agriculture, stakeholders are warning that without a coordinated, cross-departmental approach, government targets on the environment and public health may remain out of reach. SNA’s data shows that 99% of sensitive habitats are ‘overloaded with nitrogen, while around half of all fertiliser used is lost to the environment – costing hundreds of millions annually.

Ellie Roxburgh, who convenes the SNA, welcomed Government’s recognition of the issue, but emphasised “more ambitious action is needed”. The SNA is urging ministers to reconsider their stance and commit to a joined-up Nitrogen Strategy that spans multiple departments, reduces fertiliser waste, and supports agroecological farming practices. With the Lords inquiry ongoing, the water sector, and its role in managing diffuse pollution, will be watching closely for signs of more decisive government action in the months ahead.

Alarm sounded over cuts to nature friendly farming fund

Defra recently announced thousands of farmers will benefit from a £30 million boost to payments received for nature-friendly farming practices under the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme.

However, the Guardian has simultaneously revealed the nature-friendly farming budget is set to be slashed in the UK spending review, with only small farms allowed to apply. The Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme – central to the previous Conservative government’s post-Brexit vision for sustainable farming – was designed to reward farmers for environmental stewardship.

The Guardian said sources at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed the post-Brexit farming fund will be severely cut in the review on 11 June. It will be part of a swathe of cuts to departments, with police, social housing and nature funding expected to face the brunt.

Labour promised a fund of £5bn over two years, from 2024 to 2026, at the budget, which is being honoured, but in the years following that it will be slashed for all but a few farms. The UK government is facing mounting pressure to clarify its position on the future of nature-friendly farming in the wake of these reports. Environmental organisations have also expressed alarm at the reported cuts. Alice Groom, head of sustainable land use policy at the RSPB, said it would leave Labour’s credibility on nature and climate “in tatters”.