No impact study on cattle pollution permits plan

The government has not assessed how many cattle farms could be affected by plans to extend environmental permitting rules to dairy and intensive beef operations in England, it has emerged.

In a written parliamentary answer published on 9 February, ministers confirmed they intend to develop options for consultation on bringing cattle farms into the environmental permit regime.

However, they did not provide an estimate of how many farm businesses could fall within that scope.

See also: Cattle farmers face new pollution permits

The omission was highlighted in a written question on agriculture water by Victoria Atkins, Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle and shadow Defra secretary.

She asked what assessment had been made of the number of cattle farms that could be impacted by the proposals outlined in Defra’s white paper, A New Vision for Water.

Responding on behalf of the department, environment minister Emma Hardy said the government had announced its intention to develop options for consultation through the Environmental Improvement Plan.

She added that it was “looking to develop a proportionate risk-based approach with requirements focused on the most polluting farms”.

No figures were provided.

Ms Atkins criticised the lack of assessment, arguing ministers were pressing ahead without evidence of either environmental harm or economic impact.

She told Farmers Weekly: “Labour is once again favouring foreign farmers by imposing costly new rules on British farmers that will not apply to imported beef.

“Ministers have not provided evidence of cattle farms polluting water, yet are happy to impose more costs on businesses.

“We must stop our domestic beef industry from being undercut by cheap imports, not drive them into the ground with ever increasing penalties.”

Rising costs

The potential extension of environmental permitting would represent a significant regulatory shift for parts of the beef and dairy sector, bringing it in line with the pig and poultry sectors.

Farming groups are expected to seek clarity on how many farms could be affected and what compliance costs might arise before any formal proposals are brought forward.