Policy paper: Farming rules for water from April 2018

Updated: More detail has been added, in both documents, on the soil testing rule in relation to Nitrogen levels.

This publication sets out the new ‘farming rules for water’ we will be introducing from 2 April 2018 for all farmers in England. We have published a simple overview factsheet, together with full details of the rules.

The rules will require good farming practice, so that farmers manage their land both to avoid water pollution and to benefit their business. They provide a step by step checklist to make sure that fertilisers are spread to meet crop and soil needs. Other rules safeguard water quality by requiring farmers to judge when it is best to apply fertilisers, where to store manures and how to avoid pollution from soil erosion.

We consulted on the proposed rules in 2015 and have separately published a summary of the responses we received.



National Statistics: Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics annual report 2016/17

This report presents information on the quantities of local authority collected municipal waste managed in Northern Ireland. It provides information on the quantities and rates of local authority collected waste arisings, sent for preparing for reuse, for dry recycling, composting, energy recovery and sent to landfill. Some of these measurements are key performance indicators. These are used to assess progress towards achieving waste strategy targets and where appropriate this is highlighted in the tables and charts.



Students at top of their game for St Andrew’s Day

Pheasant on the menu during national celebration.



Notice: PE36 5LL, Newcome-Baker Farms Limited: environmental permit issued

The Environment Agency publish permits that they issue under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

This decision includes the permit and decision document for:

  • Operator name: Newcome-Baker Farms Limited
  • Installation name: Whin Close Poultry Farm
  • Permit number: EPR/AP3439DZ/V002


Notice: OX10 6PJ, Grundon Waste Management Limited: environmental permit application advertisement

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • how you can view the application documents
  • when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

  • whether to grant or refuse the application
  • what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)