There are new ‘farming rules for water’ from 2 April 2018 for all farmers in England. DEFRA have published a simple overview factsheet, together with full details of the rules.
The rules will require good farming practice, so that farmers manage their land both to avoid water pollution and to benefit their business. They provide a step by step checklist to make sure that fertilisers are spread to meet crop and soil needs. Other rules safeguard water quality by requiring farmers to judge when it is best to apply fertilisers, where to store manures and how to avoid pollution from soil erosion.
Both documents can be accessed here.