« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
MINISTERIAL FOREWORD
I am committed to achieving good status in our water environment. In June 2005 the Scottish Parliament approved the Controlled Activities Regulations under the Water Environment and Water Services Act 2003. These Regulations will enable us to address the risks arising from many activities posing a risk to the water environment.
It is our intention now to develop a strategy to combat diffuse water pollution. Diffuse pollution is a problem which arises as a by-product of many activities, and typically it occurs over a wide area. Agriculture and to some extent other land uses are now identified as contributing significantly to the downgrading of many of our watercourses. It is a problem many of us have largely accepted in the past, but much that is present practice is not sustainable. In farming, we must be aiming to achieve higher standards within the key environmental issues identified by the Custodians of Change report.
The protection of watercourses is an essential part of our overall commitment to conserving biodiversity and safeguarding Scotland's natural resources. Ours is a land renowned worldwide for its wildlife and wilderness areas, for its rivers and seascapes, and for the clean water, healthy environment and rich natural heritage which help make Scotland such an attractive place in which to live and work.
Tackling diffuse pollution, in particular the run-off of manure and other sources of nutrients that leads to undesirable disturbance of the balance of nature, will not be easy and will not be without costs to the industry. However, we know a good deal about the good practices that can substantially reduce pollution, often by making better use of manures and other nutrients.
Securing the control of diffuse pollution from rural land use will require the promotion of the good practice which the Executive has agreed with other interested parties: NFU Scotland, the Scottish Agricultural College and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in particular. It will involve us working with the many voluntary groups taking steps to improve water protection in their river catchments.
This document sets out the key aspects of our strategy - a framework of regulation over activities affecting the water environment, the promotion of good practice set out in guidance and the development of further supportive measures.
I look forward to receiving your comments on these proposals.
« Previous | Contents | Next »