Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that (a) pesticides and (b) chemicals do not enter rivers.

Pesticides are strictly regulated and are only authorised for use if the relevant information shows no unacceptable risks to the environment. This assessment takes account of the likelihood that the pesticide might enter water and the effects on aquatic organisms that might result. When a pesticide is authorised, conditions may be set to ensure the protection of water, such as buffer zones between the watercourse and the sprayed area.

Chemical releases to rivers are controlled by a number of mechanisms. The manufacture and use of chemicals is initially regulated through legislation such as the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation which requires companies to register the chemicals they supply and assess their risks so they can recommend risk management measures in their supply chain. Higher risk substances may be subject to authorisation or restrictions on manufacture or use to reduce environmental exposure and therefore minimise risks. Direct discharges of chemicals to rivers are controlled by environmental permits. Where necessary these include specific limits for concentrations of particular chemicals that can be discharged to a river to ensure that risks are managed and the environment and human health is protected. Discharge quality is monitored and enforcement action taken if permit limits are exceeded. We work closely with business, infrastructure and emergency service providers to provide advice to reduce the chance of accidental releases.