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 is taking to prevent eutrophication in waterways.

Eutrophication from excess nutrient pollution is a key pressure affecting our rivers, lakes, and seas.

As part of Price Review 24 final determinations, Ofwat has allowed £4.795 billion of investment to improve water quality by reducing phosphorus pollution in England and Wales. We will also require water companies to upgrade 440 wastewater treatment works by 2030, to meet strict phosphorus targets, reducing harmful nutrient pollution from treated wastewater.

We have committed to a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan which will set out how Defra will deliver our legally binding targets.

The levels of nitrogen losses from agriculture are unacceptable. That is why we are focused on working with farmers across the country to reduce pollution and clean up our waters. Regulations are in place to address nitrogen and wider pollution from agriculture and the Environment Agency conducts over 4,000 inspections nationally each year to support farmers to comply.