Water strategy launch a positive step for farming industry

Defra's continued support for Catchment Sensitive Farming for another three years and its plans for water companies to work directly with farmers to tackle pollution issues are important for the industry, the NFU said today.

The decisions were announced as part of Defra's national water strategy, 'Future Water', which was launched today and aims to develop a co-ordinated approach to water use, quality and flooding.

NFU President Peter Kendall said the NFU would be looking for an early announcement on funding to secure the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative, which the NFU had called for last summer, on the back of Defra's continued support.

He said: "These CSF projects have demonstrated real benefits in the short period they have been working – showing just how important local advice and small scale capital spend can be.

"We are also delighted to hear that Ministers will be instructing Ofwat to allow water companies to work with farmers to reduce diffuse water pollution from agriculture. This can be far more cost effective than traditional end of pipe treatment of water supplies. The NFU has been pushing for this to be included in the strategy for some time.

"We believe the only way we can achieve the requirements of the Water Framework Directive is through such voluntary and targeted approaches that aim to deliver local solutions for local problems and use innovative approaches, such as working with water companies."