The Soil Association urges the government to introduce a coherent plan to address the significant volume of nitrogen pollution coming from farming operations and encourage a rapid shift to nature friendly farming across the UK if it is to achieve its aim for cleaner and plentiful water.  

Soil Association Head of Farming Policy Gareth Morgan said: 

"This is a missed opportunity for joined up environmental policies. The government needs a coherent plan if it is to reach its own target of a 40% reduction in nitrogen pollution in our rivers.

"This must address the significant volume of nitrogen pollution coming direct from farming operations into our rivers. We know it will be impossible to clean up British rivers without a rapid shift to lower input, nature-friendly farming across the UK. And this requires a move away from artificial fertilisers and a shift towards nature-based solutions, as already demonstrated by organic and agroecological farmers.

"This will require a mix of positive incentives and sound advice for farmers to steer them on the right course combined with robust regulation to achieve the outcomes our rivers so desperately need."