The Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018, also known as the Farming Rules for Water, are a set of regulations implemented in England with the aim of reducing and preventing diffuse pollution from agricultural activities. The regulations require farmers and other land managers to take specific measures to prevent or reduce the risk of pollution from agricultural activities, including:
- Implementing a nutrient management plan, which sets out how farmers will manage the use of fertilizers and other nutrients on their land to reduce the risk of pollution.
- Implementing a soil management plan, which sets out how farmers will manage soil erosion and other issues that can contribute to diffuse pollution.
- Implementing a pest management plan, which sets out how farmers will control pests and diseases in a way that reduces the risk of pollution.
The regulations also include provisions for the monitoring and reporting of diffuse pollution, and for the enforcement of the regulations by local authorities. The regulations are part of a broader effort in the UK to reduce agricultural pollution and protect the country’s water resources.