Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

What steps he is taking to ensure that (a) funding and (b) regulations are in place to help protect (i) the River Tawd and (ii) similar natural environments from pollution.

The Environment Agency has secured funding to commence an investigation into sources of pollution in the River Tawd. We are tackling river pollution from poor farming practice with regulation, financial incentives and educational schemes for farmers. In addition to Government investment in many local improvement schemes, water company investment is increasing to £4.6 billion between 2020-2025. A task force comprising the Government and water companies is addressing the problem of sewage discharge from storm overflows.