Environment Agency to Ramp up Farm Inspections by 50% to Support Greener Farming

The Environment Agency is significantly increasing the number of farm inspections it conducts each year. The goal is to give farmers more hands-on advice and support, making it easier for them to comply with environmental regulations.

The increase in funding, which will see a 50 per cent increase in farm inspections, “will help the EA offer more guidance to farmers, strengthen links with supply chains and farm networks, make better use of technology like remote sensing, and take stronger action against serious or ongoing pollution”, according to the government.

By 2029, the number of annual inspections is expected to hit a record 6,000. This expansion will be supported by fresh investment in an advice-first approach to regulation.

Under this updated system, Environment Agency officers will visit farms to make sure environmental laws are being followed. If any rules are broken, the farmer will receive a clear written notice explaining what needs to be fixed and by when. According to the agency, this method not only helps farmers stay within the law but also protects rivers, wildlife, and the air we breathe, all while encouraging more sustainable food production.

Environment secretary Steve Reed said: “Farmers are key partners in protecting our rivers, lakes, and seas – and through our Plan for Change, we’re backing them to do just that. By doubling funding for inspections, we’re ensuring that farmers receive better advice to help them reduce pollution and clean up our waterways for good.

“This builds on EA’s current work with farmers that is having a real impact. In 2024/25, 6,242 actions were completed, such as improving fertiliser use, slurry storage, and soil testing. These changes help the environment and save farmers money. The 4,545 farm inspections last year are expected to bring even more benefits.

“Inspections are prioritised at farms that present the highest risk to water quality – particularly in areas where rivers or groundwater have already been affected by agricultural activity, or where large volumes of slurry and waste are handled, such as dairy farms in protected catchments.”