§ Mr. Woodasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the report on nitrate in water will be published; and what action the Government plans to take following the report.
§ Mr. RidleyThe report of the nitrate co-ordination group is being published today. It gives a comprehensive picture of the present situation on nitrate in water and a valuable assessment of the many options which have been suggested for stabilising or reducing nitrate levels. I have placed copies in the Library.
The Government are considering the report and its recommendations. Ministers will be examining the potential consequences of the various approaches which the report considers. This will include exploring the practicality of protection policies aimed at limiting the nitrate reaching water resources in vulnerable areas, as well as assessing the merits of further treatment of blending water supplies.