Post-Brexit agri policy must not undermine 'polluter pays' principle, MPs warn

Brexit presents 'challenges and opportunities' to tackle the nitrate pollution ‘time bomb’, say MPs in a new report (Photo: FLPA/John Eveson/REX/Shutterstock)
Brexit presents 'challenges and opportunities' to tackle the nitrate pollution ‘time bomb’, say MPs in a new report (Photo: FLPA/John Eveson/REX/Shutterstock)

Any post-Brexit agricultural policy which replaces the CAP must not undermine the “polluter pays” principle, according to a new Environmental Audit Committee report.

MPs in the House of Commons Committee said that targets on water quality “must be enforced” and any new UK legislation should not undermine the “important principle” that those causing the pollution are the ones who pay.

Farmers must also be supported to invest in infrastructure and processes to reduce artificial fertiliser application for a more sustainable, environmental outcome, the MPs say.

The report states that leaving the European Union presents the UK with both challenges and opportunities in its efforts to tackle the nitrate pollution ‘time bomb’.

High levels of nitrates, used frequently in farming fertilisers, cause oxygen depletion in water which is harmful to humans and biodiversity.

Their overuse in the past has led to a nitrate ‘time bomb’ which is still working its way through into many of the UK's ground water sources, from which much of the country's drinking water is drawn.

Nitrates are connected to wider nitrogen pollution because of the nitrogen cycle, including nitrogen oxides and ammonia. These powerful air pollutants can raise acidity levels when deposited in water and soil.

'Zombie EU legislation'

While regulation of water and air quality is based on EU legislation and mainly devolved, the Committee's report, released on Thursday (22 November), re-iterates their concerns about the dangers of 'a governance gap’.

This means 'zombie' EU legislation would be transposed into UK law but remain divorced from EU institutions that monitor compliance.

MPs in the Committee are particularly concerned about the danger that existing standards, including the target of water bodies reaching a good status by 2027, are weakened.

The report concludes it is important that the replacement for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-Brexit does not undermine the “polluter pays” principle.

MPs find that leaving the EU offers a potential opportunity for a joined-up approach, which aligns water, air and soil quality regulations and regulators.

It would go further than existing standards wherever possible, under a new single independent environmental watchdog filling the gap left by the European Commission, European Environment Agency and European Court of Justice.

The Committee calls for this to be reflected in the Environment Bill due to be published before the end this year.

'Time bomb'

Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, Mary Creagh MP, said: “One of the biggest sources of nitrate pollution is farming, through artificial fertilisers and animal waste getting into water supplies, as well as domestic and industrial sewage.

“Historic over use of artificial fertiliser has led to nitrate pollution in many of our groundwater sources, with some citing the threat of the so-called nitrate ‘time bomb’.”

Ms Creagh added: “If we are to deal effectively with the challenges nitrates pose to the environment, it is vital that, if Brexit happens, we do not end up with zombie legislation where EU laws apply but there is no oversight or governance.

“If we leave the European Union, there could be a new joined-up approach that can bring about standards that are even higher than those currently in place.”