PFAS and farming: practical steps to manage risk and future-proof your business
Marchwood
NRM
Agriculture
Environment
PFAS, including PFAS and farming, are complex and evolving issues. While regulation at the farm level in the UK is still developing, the direction of travel is clear: greater scrutiny of inputs, stronger supply-chain expectations, and increased environmental monitoring.
The good news is that farmers don’t need to wait for specific regulation to act. There are pragmatic steps that can help reduce risk, improve transparency, and put you in a stronger position for whatever comes next.
Start with input awareness
The most effective way to manage PFAS risk is to understand what is coming onto your farm.
Key inputs to consider:
- Biosolids
- Imported organic inputs
- Water sources (irrigation, abstraction, flood risk)
- Crop protection products
Biosolids remain a particular focus. They are recognised as a major pathway for PFAS into agricultural soils, and they can contain a complex mix of contaminants originating from household and industrial waste streams.
Practical steps:
- Ask suppliers about source, treatment process, and contaminant monitoring.
- Understand what assurances exist — and where there are gaps.
Strengthen record keeping & traceability
As PFAS moves up the agenda, traceability will become increasingly important. Farmers may well be asked to demonstrate what has been applied, where it came from (the supplier), and when and where it was used.
Practical steps:
Keep clear records of:
- Imported biosolid applications
- Fertiliser and pesticide use
- Field-level application timing
Additionally, always link nutrient management decisions to a well-thought-out plan.
Whilst complying is important, these steps are also about being able to evidence sustainable, good practice to the supply chain, customers and regulators.
Take a risk-based approach to manures and digestates
Livestock and other imported organic inputs remain valuable resources, agronomically and financially, and require careful management.
Things to consider:
- Source of material (municipal vs on-farm vs imported)
- Have they been treated? If so, how?
- Frequency of application
- Field history
Practical steps:
- Always avoid blanket decisions
- Identify and target low-risk fields
- Adapt application strategy according to crop and soil need
This may include targeting specific rotations, targeting applications at lower frequency, or ensuring greater scrutiny where high-value food crops are involved.
Understand your water risk
PFAS are widely detected in UK water systems, including rivers and ground water. This means that some farms may face background exposure via water, and that catchment location matters (such as proximity to urban or industrial areas).
Practical steps:
- Be aware of local catchment pressures and flood history
- Where relevant, consider water testing (particularly for high-value crops or sensitive markets)
Analytical testing: why is it needed?
Testing for PFAS is still developing in UK agriculture, but it is becoming an increasingly useful tool to help businesses comply with evolving and future regulations, and safeguard the environment for a more resilient farming future.
What can be tested?
- Soil
- Water
- Organic materials (e.g. biosolids, composts)
- Crops
When on-farm testing may be useful:
- Before applying imported biosolids or waste-derived materials
- On land with a history of repeated sludge applications
- Where there is known local contamination risk
- For farms supplying high-spec or export markets (such as the EU where PFAS specific food standards exist)
Important considerations
While PFAS testing is not yet standardised for routine farm use, it’s important to ensure that the PFAS being tested include those routinely regulated/monitored by parallel legislation/guidelines. It’s also crucial to ensure that the limits of detection are fit for purpose.
We know that these considerations are new to a lot of farmers in the UK. Marchwood’s team of specialists have decades of experience in PFAS testing, so we can provide expert advice on the tests you need.
Practical steps:
- Ask your biosolids provider for PFAS information and seek their advice on including PFAS analysis for fields receiving biosolids.
- Always adopt a targeted, risk-based approach and work with your agronomist.
- Ask our specialist team of experts for advice on which tests you need.
Monitor supply chain expectations
In many cases, change will be driven not by regulation, but by markets.
Retailers, processors and assurance schemes are increasingly focused on environmental contaminants, sustainable sourcing, and input transparency. This is already happening in related areas (e.g. carbon, NUE), and PFAS is likely to follow.
What to expect:
- More questions around inputs and sourcing
- Potential requirements for evidence or declarations
- Possible restrictions on certain materials over time
Understanding the risks of PFAS contamination on farms and what needs to be done to safeguard our planet and the food chain is crucial for farmers across the UK. The businesses best positioned over the next 5-10 years won’t necessarily be those that avoid all risks, but rather those that demonstrate control, transparency, and informed decision-making.
How we can help
Our sister laboratory, Marchwood, supports farmers, landowners, supply chain partners and businesses across the wider agricultural and environmental sectors with specialised PFAS testing and advisory services. These services help clarify contamination risks and guide practical decisions.
Through analysis of soil, water, biosolids and food/feed, Marchwood detects PFAS presence and distribution, enabling users to evaluate impacts on land use, crop production, and regulatory compliance.
To understand more about PFAS and how we can help, sign up here.
References
- Input awareness & biosolids risk → EA + AIC + Fidra
- Environmental presence → EA + BGS
- Water risk → EA + Portsmouth research
- Mitigation & future solutions → CIWEM / Cranfield
- Input scrutiny (pesticides) → Fidra report
- Analytical testing
- https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/148277/pdf/
- https://inside.battelle.org/blog-details/top-challenges-in-pfas-analysis-and-how-to-solve-them
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uks-first-ever-plan-to-tackle-forever-chemicals
- https://www.langan.com/news-and-insights/guide-to-pfas-analysis-and-detection
- Supply Chain sustainability commitment