The agricultural sector has a responsibility for improving water quality in rivers, just as the water industry and other stakeholders do. The Farming Rules for Water ought to be amended over time so as to reduce phosphorus surpluses in land and water and thereby improve water quality. This must be done in a way that promotes cooperation from farmers. The Environment Agency must recognise the impact on the sector of rule changes made with insufficient notice or options for mitigation.

The agricultural sector has a responsibility for improving water quality in rivers, just as the water industry and other stakeholders do. The Farming Rules for Water ought to be amended over time so as to reduce phosphorus surpluses in land and water and thereby improve water quality. This must be done in a way that promotes cooperation from farmers. The Environment Agency must recognise the impact on the sector of rule changes made with insufficient notice or options for mitigation. Type: conclusion | Number: 17 | Paragraph: 125 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: As part of the Improving Water Company Performance Taskforce, the Environment Agency is currently developing systems to analyse the data generated by Event Duration Monitors (EDMs) and establishing techniques to identify discharges which are likely to breach permit conditions.