Summary
Action taken following the receipt of a complaint alleging a number of failures by the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding regulations controlling nutrient pollution from agricultural sources.
Outcomes and additional information
During our assessment of this complaint, the OEP identified additional potential failures to comply with obligations to review the Nitrate Regulations, and publish a report of that review, and regarding the offering of derogations under the Nitrate Regulations. Defra is now progressing a post-implementation review of the Nitrate Regulations and has committed to publishing the relevant reports later this year.
The OEP will be monitoring the Secretary of State's compliance with these obligations going forward.