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Month: January 2024

River Action launches legal crowdfunder to save the River Wye

Posted on by lewis

River Action has been granted consent to pursue a legal challenge against the Environment Agency over its failure to enforce critical agricultural pollution regulations called the Farming Rules for Water. 

We will argue that by failing to prevent the spread of excessive levels of manure across agricultural land in the Wye river catchment, the EA has acted unlawfully by not enforcing existing rules for farmers. We are convinced that had these regulations been properly enforced, much of the horrific pollution along the River Wye could have been avoided. 

Today, we have launched a crowdfunder to help with the costs of our legal challenge. If you can, please share far and wide. Thank you for your support 💚.

DONATE TODAY

Introducing Austin’s River Rescue Rocket!

Posted on by lewis

A huge thank you to eight-year-old Austin for sending over his brilliant invention, the ‘River Rescue Rocket’, which he created for his class’s science project as a solution to combat river pollution.

Take a read of his proposal below. Every detail has been thought out, even down to a solar-powered engine. Many of us could certainly take a leaf out of Austin’s book. Great job!

STATEMENT: River Action responds to OEP report revealing plans to clean up rivers “off track”

Posted on by lewis

River Action’s response to the Office for Environmental Protection report, published today, which shows progress to ensure rivers reach good ecological status by 2027 is “largely off track”.

James Wallace, CEO of River Action UK, says, “It is no surprise that the Government’s own regulator – the OEP – gives a largely damning report on progress towards legally binding targets.

“After 14 years of cutbacks for environmental regulation, our rivers, wildlife and water security are in a dire state. Next we need the OEP to unleash its full armoury in pursuit of the many complaints of Government malpractice, incompetence and illegality with ferocity and urgency, and to pressure the Government to do its job: incentivise sustainable farming and waste management, ensure water companies are structured and financed to serve their customers, and ensure Ofwat and the Environment agency are reformed and resourced to monitor polluters and enforce the law.

“CEO’s of profiteering corporations like Thames Water should be quaking in their boots at the thought of penalties and prosecution, not laughing all the way to the bank. We are in a freshwater emergency and desperately need leadership and action, not broken promises and kowtowing to international shareholders.”

ENDS:

For enquiries, comment or further information, please contact:

  • Ian Woolverton, Senior PR Coordinator: 07377 547 362; ian@riveractionuk.com

RIVER ACTION 2023: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Posted on by lewis

“From kicking off the year as an ambitious team of four, River Action has quickly grown into an independent organisation of twelve passionate campaigners – all of whom are driven with an unquenchable thirst to protect and restore Britain’s rivers.  

“Since its inception, River Action has been focused on targeting the polluting agri-industries and the regulatory bodies responsible for enforcing existing environmental laws. This year, we won a landmark court ruling to sue the Environment Agency for failing to protect the River Wye; we filed complaints against the Red Tractor’s misleading marketing claims and we achieved a public commitment from Avara Foods to ensure their supply chain no longer contributes to excess phosphate in the Wye by 2025.

“In the summer, River Action launched the Charter for Rivers (and the Charter’s hugely popular accompanying petition) in parliament.  Shortly after we attended major political party conferences and convened key discussions to maintain pressure and ensure that healthy rivers are a top voting priority ahead of the upcoming general election. 

“All the while, River Action remains steadfastly committed to supporting community groups to stand up for their rivers. We have had a very successful twelve months empowering local community groups and working with citizen scientists, fellow activists and sporting heroes to hold water companies and polluting industries to account. 

“We would like to thank all our supporters, donors, partners, advisors and communities for your incredible support. Our combined impact through key public and community initiatives, national media coverage and petition submission to No 10 are sending the message that it’s high time current and future governments commit to resolving the freshwater emergency before it’s too late.” 

Molly Allen, River Action’s Communication’s Coordinator