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EXCLUSIVE - Martin Lines: "We cannot keep demanding more food at lower prices and then acting surprised when pollution increases"

The Nature Friendly Farming Network chief executive has written on the need to improve water quality in agriculture and why a food system which values environmental outcomes as much as yield is vitally important moving forward

Martin Lines

11 August 2025 鈥� 4 min read

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Martin Lines, arable farmer and chief executive at the Nature Friendly Farming Network, said: "All too frequently, small family farms are expected to shoulder the burden while large, powerful businesses carry on unchecked. We need joined-up action, bringing together water companies, housing developers, and the entire food supply chain."

Water is essential for farming, communities and nature. However, we can no longer ignore the scale of pollution in our rivers, lakes and seas, or the significant contribution that farming makes...

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