Breaches of English farm pollution laws rise as rules remain largely unenforced

Exclusive: violations of farming rules for water last year reached highest level since legislation was introduced

The number of documented violations of legislation designed to reduce water pollution caused by agriculture in England has hit record levels as the rules remain largely unenforced.

Last year had the highest number of recorded violations of the farming rules for water since the legislation was introduced in April 2018, and environmental groups estimate tens of thousands of English farms continue to commit undocumented violations.