The future of sewage sludge regulation – have your say

18 February 2026

Environment and climate
Your opinion matters. Tractor spreading in a field

Take our survey by 10 March and help shape our consultation response to Defra's proposals on tightening controls for spreading sewage sludge on farmland. 

Defra is now consulting on potential reform measures to improve the current regulatory regime and uphold safety and confidence in spreading practices.

Options currently being explored by the government include bringing controls under environmental permitting, amending the current regulations to introduce a charging scheme, or updating requirements as and when the evidence supports this rather than through regulation.

Have your say

To capture NFU members’ views, we have produced a short survey to help us demonstrate the strength of feeling on these options, and the wider benefits to the use of sewage sludge in agriculture to Defra.

There are ten questions, with the survey taking around 10-15 minutes to complete. Deadline: 10 March.

Take our survey

27 January 2026

Defra launches consultation

The spreading of sewage sludge (biosolids) to land has been regulated through SUIAR (The Sludge [Use in Agriculture] Regulations) 1989 and a supporting code of practice.

These regulations have not undergone substantial revisions since their implementation 37 years ago. 

Defra is now consulting on potential reform measures to improve the current regulatory regime and uphold safety and confidence in spreading practices.

Specifically, the consultation seeks views on three options for reforming the underlying regulatory framework governing the use of sludge on agricultural land:

  • Option 1: Revoke the SIUAR 1989, in whole or in part, and regulate sludge spreading within the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016.
  • Option 2: Amend the current SUIAR 1989.
  • Option 3: Change the standards on sludge spreading via non-regulatory means

The consultation can be read in full at: GOV.UK | Consultation on the regulatory framework for sludge applied to agriculture.

Ask us a question about this page

Once you have submitted your query someone from NFU CallFirst will contact you. If needed, your query will then be passed to the appropriate NFU policy team.

You have 0 characters remaining.

By completing the form with your details on this page, you are agreeing to have this information sent to the NFU for the purposes of contacting you regarding your enquiry. Please take time to read the NFU’s Privacy Notice if you require further information.