Toxic Sewage Sludge: Fighting for Safe Farmland
For years, water companies have been selling or giving farmers toxic sewage sludge to use as fertilizer. This sludge, contaminated with dioxins, furans, microplastics, and ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS, poses serious risks to human health and soil quality.
A 2017 Environment Agency (EA) report revealed that English crops were contaminated at levels that “may present a risk to human health.”
Campaign Overview
A legal battle to hold the Environment Agency accountable and force long-overdue regulation.
Fighting Dirty took legal action against the Environment Agency in an effort to force regulation.
But after years of government inaction and political delays, the High Court ruled against us—not because the case lacked merit, but because the EA was legally powerless without ministerial action. This campaign exposed a shocking failure of environmental protection and put critical pressure on policymakers to act.
Key Milestones in Our Campaign
This campaign fought to uncover the truth, challenge government inaction, and demand stronger protections for our environment.
2017
Hidden Report Exposed
An EA report finds toxic chemicals in farmland soil but is buried by the government.
2020
A Promise to Act
The EA commits to bringing sewage sludge into a stricter permitting regime by 2023.
2023
Deadline Dropped
The EA quietly drops the deadline, effectively abandoning its commitment.
March 2024
Taking It To Court
Fighting Dirty is granted a High Court hearing to challenge the EA’s inaction.
August 2024
Legal Verdict In
The High Court rules against Fighting Dirty but confirms the EA could regulate sludge—if given the political will.
National Awareness
This case brought mainstream media attention to the toxic waste spread on our farmland. Farmers, environmentalists, and the public are now demanding action.
Legal Precedent
The ruling confirmed that the EA has the power to regulate sewage sludge – putting the responsibility squarely on the new Labour government.
Political Pressure
Fighting Dirty’s campaign forced politicians to engage with the issue. The new government now has the opportunity to take decisive action.
Media Coverage
“A cocktail of toxins is poisoning our fields. Its effect on humans? Nobody can tell us.” – George Monbiot
“Why we’re fighting dirty against microplastics in our fertiliser and food.” – Steve Hynd
“Campaigners take Environment Agency to court over microplastics spread on land.” – BBC News
What's next?
Fighting Dirty isn’t stopping here. While this legal battle was lost, the fight is far from over.
We’re pressuring the new Labour government to finally regulate toxic sewage sludge—and we’ll keep using the courts to make polluters pay.
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