The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has announced that the outdoor use of the pesticide metaldehyde which is used to control slugs on farms and in gardens, is set to be banned in the UK from the end of March 2022 in order to better protect wildlife and the environment.

The Environment Agency has been widely criticised in the press for its failures to tackle water pollution in rivers in England following last week’s publication of data revealing that for the first time no river has achieved good chemical status and just 14% reached good ecological standard.

New figures released by the Environment Agency have revealed that none of the river, lakes and streams are classed as in good health in England, despite a target for all waters to be in good health by 2027.

At a meeting on Tuesday this week, the chief executives of fifteen water companies met with Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, who challenged them to do more to protect the environment and safeguard water supplies.

Water sector regulator Ofwat has written an open letter to investors setting out its intention to seek greater engagement with the investor community.

The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee has announced that it will hold its second oral evidence session as part of its inquiry into flooding in England next week.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has today announced that the government will immediately accept 12 recommendations from an independent review into responsibilities around surface water flooding.