Member

Several European countries are routinely monitoring their PFAS and, after having discovered exactly what is happening in water bodies, have submitted a dossier proposing a ban where viable alternatives exist. Monitoring programmes are also taking place in several United States states. We in the UK do not systematically monitor for PFAS. This amendment would begin—very inadequately—to routinely monitor PFAS as a precursor to action. I therefore encourage the Minister to mug up on PFAS and look at how they can be prevented from entering the water environment through sewage admissions before accumulations in watercourses and the sea become critical. According to Defra’s own assessment, no English rivers, estuaries or coastal waters meet the criteria for good chemical status under the water framework legislation.