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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will take legislative steps to stop nitrates and phosphates entering protected landscapes.

In the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, we set out an ambitious target to reduce total nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution from agriculture to the water environment by at least 18% in catchments containing protected sites in unfavourable condition due to nutrient pollution by December 2030.

The government is developing the strongest programme on record for tackling water pollution from agriculture by using all the levers available including a commitment to consolidate the agricultural water regulatory framework into a single, clear and robust regulation and strengthen standards. We also set out plans for consultation on extending environmental permitting to dairy and intensive beef farms.