The Winchester MP was representing the concerns of growers such as The Watercress Company, regarding challenging new phosphate limits to be set on revised discharge permits.
Steve met with Lib Dem Minister, Dan Rogerson, to outline the situation faced by The Watercress Company, as well as a number of independent growers Steve has been in touch with.
Steve says: "This was a useful meeting and a chance for me to put a local view in front of the Minister and stick up for what is an important industry in Alresford and some parts of the Itchen Valley.
"We have to recognise that reduced phosphate discharge is not a bad aim and water quality reforms are rightly an aim of this Government but new permit requirements are quite onerous and also technically difficult to achieve, particularly for smaller growers, or growers who are not members of the NFU Watercress Association.
"They are in a difficult position as for many, the permits are completely new and they may not have the technical expertise or money to invest in the changes that will be needed for compliance."
The Minister agreed to ask his officials to investigate how these new regulations are being implemented in Italy, which has a thriving watercress industry, and to work with Mr Brine to support growers locally through any transitional period.
Pictured; Steve Brine MP with Dan Rogerson MP