In the United Kingdom, environmental protection is based on a dual approach. Guidelines and voluntary action have generally proved effective but, increasingly, Community of Europe directives as well as public pressure are resulting in legislation.

Water pollution is largely regulated by Part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and odour by the Public Heath Act 1936 and subsequent subsidiary legislation. Planning is controlled under the Town and Country Planning Acts and dependent General Development Orders. The Order relevant to agriculture is being amended to bring in a greater measure of planning requirement where piggeries are near human housing. Alongside these laws, the Ministry has produced a Code of Good Agricultural Practice and Guidelines on Housed Livestock to establish appropriate standards.

Other countries are also developing their legislative control, most notably Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. It is notable that, although the ‘polluter pays principle’ is often referred to, all countries have found practical problems in any simple-minded attempt to apply the principle to the effects of animal farming.

The paper reviews these areas in detail and suggests that research is needed on the effects of small quantities of straw on slurry systems and to produce a definition of the minimum of straw needed for welfare purposes. Other research which is already in hand is also mentioned.