DEFRA doubles funding for EA inspections

The department confirmed that EA farm inspections are set to increase by around 50%.

A spokesperson for DEFRA explained: “The boost in funding will help the EA offer more guidance to farmers, strengthen links with supply chains and farm networks, make better use of technology like remote sensing, and take stronger action against serious or ongoing pollution.

“It will see the expected number of inspections reach a record 6,000 a year by 2029, supported by more investment in advice-led regulation.”

DEFRA said that the EA’s approach sees officers visiting farms to check compliance with environmental law. If rules are broken, farmers are told what to fix and given a deadline in writing as part of the enforcement process.

The decision follows a meeting between the farming minister Daniel Zeichner and water minister Emma Hardy alongside various groups where it was agreed to start a programme aimed at making farming rules clearer and better to help reduce and prevent pollution on farm.

The EA confirmed 4,545 farm inspections were carried out last year.

READ MORE: £100m cuts announced: ‘Farmers will need to do more with less’

‘Farmers need the right tools’

NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos responded to the news by saying that while the NFU supports proportionate regulation to uphold environmental standards, “any increase in Environment Agency inspections must be targeted, evidence-based and focused on advice-led improvement, not simply enforcement”.

“Farmers are committed to protecting and enhancing the environment – it’s central to how we farm and produce food.

“Clearly, there is much more we can do to improve water quality, but this is a challenge we cannot face alone. Farmers need the right tools – from investment in slurry storage, access to new technologies, advice and a supportive and enabling planning system.

“With the right approach and long-term support, farmers can continue to deliver sustainable food production while enhancing soil health, boosting climate resilience and be transformative for the quality of water in our rivers.”

In mid-June DEFRA released an overview of farming funding for the years between 2026 and 2029.

It has been announced that delinked Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments will be significantly cut next year.

DEFRA said that to maintain the overall farming budget and to increase investment in environmental land management, the government plans to “phase-out” delinked payments.

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