“United Kingdom: Funding boost for farmers to tackle water pollution.” Mena Report, 3 Aug. 2021, Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A670595323/AONE?u=usfca_gleeson&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=0718503e. Accessed 20 Jan. 2022.
On August 2nd of 2021, the U.K. Government announced that funding for Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) would be nearly doubled in order to prevent future fertilizer, soil, and manure runoff from polluting rivers. The Catchment Sensitive Farming program allows farmers access to advice on managing their farmland while reducing pollution efficiently. For many years, one farmer involved with CSF described how the program has helped with soil health, drainage, and structure while also cutting operating costs on his dairy farm.
This article highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies, farmers, and landowners. Teaching citizens and workers how to be more environmentally conscious rather than punishing them with taxes once they mess up is more effective, in my opinion. Only good can come from showing farmers how their actions are harmful and teaching them how to increase efficiency while simultaneously preventing potential crises. Other major agricultural countries such as the US, China, and Russia need to adopt similar practices that encourage farmers to be more mindful of pollution. I sincerely hope that putting more money into this fantastic initiative will successfully inspire other nations to do the same.
I agree with you that teaching farmers and others about their harmful actions can help to prevent crisis. I like that you focused on the aspect of the people and citizen’s influence on water. How can we, high schoolers, help to tackle water pollution?
I agree with your argument regarding farmer education of healthier/ better land-use practices. Obviously, the U.S. is a much bigger nation with a bigger AG industry. Do you think this program can be scaled to fit our needs in America?