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Written question asked by Alex Cunningham (Labour) on Thursday, 11 February 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 February 2016. It was answered by Rory Stewart (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 February 2016 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Dredging

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what powers she intends to extend to farmers in relation to the dredging of watercourses on their land.

Answer

The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 were laid before Parliament on 2 February. Subject to parliamentary approval, from April the Regulations will remove a number of low risk activities from the need for a flood defence consent permit from the Environment Agency, enabling it to focus on the highest risk activities. This includes allowing farmers to maintain ditches up to 1.5km long subject to a number of conditions.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
27063
Session
2015-16
Related items
Dredging
Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Flood control Farmers Powers Dredging
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk