Protecting the health of a strategically-important river
The Tamar is a major sourcing area for dairy and meat, as land is naturally dominated by grassland and livestock rearing. It is a strategically important river system, spanning the Devon-Cornwall border and provides drinking water for a large population of Devon and Cornwall, including Plymouth. However, the health of the river is threatened by diffuse pollution, in particular linked to soil degradation, nutrient losses from yards or fields, and historic loss of protective wetland and woodland habitats.
To address these challenges, the Tamar Water Stewardship Business Board has built a network of major agri-food businesses operating in the catchment, to implement interventions with the greatest benefit, and consolidate and streamline messaging to suppliers across the catchment.