Dr Ellie Chowns

Dr Ellie Chowns

Green Party — North Herefordshire

Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 January 2026

Debate

Water White Paper

Contribution

The Office for Environmental Protection said in its progress report last week “Government have made it a priority to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas”, but there is “a lack of coherent, detailed delivery plans to address all major pressures”, especially agricultural water pollution. Agriculture is the source of at least 40% of water pollution, and yet it seems to merit only one page in the White Paper. In my constituency, agriculture accounts for 70% of the issue. I ask the Secretary of State the same question that the Prime Minister dodged earlier: why on earth does it not have adequate attention here? Will she work with farmers to support river-friendly farming methods, and will she meet me and MPs across the House from the Wye catchment to address how we can tackle this major problem?

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