In the aftermath of the Brexit vote and the possibility of changes to the much criticised EU Common Agricultural Policy, the Angling Trust believes that there is a key opportunity to reform farming practices to tackle diffuse agricultural pollution which is doing major harm to our rivers and streams. In addition, the promise of abstraction reform in a new Water Bill offers the chance to manage the use of water extracted from the environment more sustainably.
According to the Angling Trust, they are pressing the Government to underpin its commitment to the achievement of good ecological status in all rivers, lakes, streams and coastal waters as currently required in the Water Framework Directive by 2027. They are also hoping to see the Government announce in the Queen’s Speech its intention to bring forward a Water Bill to ensure the long term resilience of freshwater ecosystems.
Together with the WWF-UK they are organising an event in Westminster to bring together politicians with senior staff from the Environment Agency, and other environmental and farming bodies. It will be chaired by former Environment Minister Richard Benyon MP and will aim to broker a shared vision and new policy positions across different sectors that they can advocate to Government for the benefit of fish and wildlife.
