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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the external costs of nutrient pollution.

The impact assessment for water targets under the environment act, published in December 2022, made an assessment of the benefits of reducing external costs to society from a reduction in nutrient pollution.The impact assessment estimated that reducing total nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution from agriculture by 40% by 2038 would lead to £4.2bn in reduced external costs to society. This accounted for reduced carbon emissions, improved air quality, recreational benefits and reduced water treatment costs. The IA also estimated that reducing phosphorus loadings from treated wastewater by 80% would lead to a £2.1bn reduction in external costs.