National Farmers Union funding legal challenges to curbs on river pollution

Exclusive: Environmental groups criticise NFU for helping companies to fight Defra rules on nitrates in waterways

Environmental groups have criticised the National Farmers Union for helping hundreds of agricultural businesses to push back against measures designed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to protect vulnerable rivers in the UK.

Working with the specialist consultancy Hafren Water, the NFU has helped at least 200 land users in nearly 40 river basins and groundwater catchments to fight against nitrate vulnerable zone" designations, according to documents made available to the union's members.