Environment Agency told to protect wetlands in landmark court case

Tim and Geli Harris on Catfield Fen, Norfolk. Tim Harris said reducing abstraction would lower some yields but encourage farmers to grow less water-hungry crops. Photograph: Si Barber/The Guardian

The high court has ordered the Environment Agency to reduce water abstraction and protect England’s rare wetland habitats, in a landmark case that confirms that European nature conservation laws remain enforceable despite Britain having left the EU.

The victory for Tim and Geli Harris means the Environment Agency will be forced to tackle the damage caused by the removal of water from the internationally important wetlands of the Norfolk Broads, home to rare species including the Norfolk hawker dragonfly and the swallowtail butterfly.