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Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative) on Monday, 28 June 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 July 2021. It was answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Monday, 12 July 2021 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Inland Waterways: Phosphates

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the amount of phosphates entering English watercourses is declining or increasing.

Answer

Environment Agency monitoring data show dramatic reductions in phosphorus concentrations in English rivers over the last 25 years. Average concentrations now are about one-fifth of those in the mid-1990s.

The Environment Agency has also assessed the loadings of phosphorus entering rivers from water company sewage treatment works nationally. From 1995 to 2020 the phosphorus loadings were reduced by 66 percent.

The amounts of phosphorus applied to land as fertiliser have also reduced significantly over the last 25 years and livestock numbers have fallen leading to less manure production.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1484
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Inland waterways Phosphates
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk