This is the initial reaction of the NFU to the publication of the Government's consultation this week on implementing the European Commission Directive in England and Wales.
A primary focus of the Directive is the need to tackle diffuse pollution - pollution of water from a variety of sources that includes nutrients, pesticides and other chemicals.
The NFU recognises the need to address diffuse pollution problems but this must include problems resulting from urban and industrial sources - it is not sufficient to have a strategy that focuses on one sector alone.
It is also imperative that any measures introduced to tackle diffuse pollution from agricultural sources are affordable and capable of being implemented by already hard-pressed farming businesses.
For this reason, the NFU wants Government to explore all available options including voluntary initiatives and not depend solely on a regulatory approach.
NFU vice president Michael Paske said: 'Farmers care for the environment in which they work and live. They realise that the issue of water pollution must be dealt with.
'However, it is vital that the Water Framework Directive is implemented in a way that is based on sound, scientific evidence.
'Farmers are currently in an economic crisis and are already having to deal with a plethora of environmental legislation at this difficult time. Any measures must be realistic and practical.' The Water Framework Directive is the most substantial piece of European Commission water legislation to date and requires all inland and coastal waters to reach 'good status' by 2015.
The NFU will now respond fully to the Government consultation.
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