Access to Inland Waters Inquiry Findings Generally Welcomed by NFU Cymru

Apart from a few reservations, NFU Cymru has generally welcomed the recommendations made to the Minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones, by the National Assembly for Wales’ Sustainability Committee’s inquiry into Access to Inland Waters.

Bernard Llewellyn, Chairman of NFU Cymru’s Rural Affairs Board said, “In our evidence to the Committee we strongly argued against the need to provide a statutory right of access to water and as a result of this we are pleased that the Committee recommend that voluntary agreements are the way forward.

Bernard Llewellyn, NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board Chairman

“We do however have significant concerns that appointed lead authorities could have compulsory powers if no voluntary agreement could be reached. Nevertheless, the Committee recognises that landowners and occupiers have a right to object to such a designation under the European Convention of Human Rights under Articles 1, 6 and 8.

“NFU Cymru also highlighted that members were also concerned about the actual policing of unpowered craft activities on water and the Committee’s suggestion that canoes and other unpowered craft should be licensed is seen as a positive step to ensure that this happens. It is also satisfying to see recognition by the Committee of our evidence which highlighted the fact that many rivers in Wales being small spate rivers are totally unsuitable for canoeing.”

The report also suggests that Glastir could be a method to provide ingress and egress points to our rivers. Bernard Llewellyn said, “It’s not all about craft being on water but how they get in and out of the rivers, and once again we are satisfied that the Committee has again taken on board our point on this issue. Whilst we have no objection to the principle that Glastir could be used as a method to provide access to our rivers we would like to highlight that Glastir has a limited budget with a wide variety of objectives and not just improvement to access to our waterways.

“Overall, we welcome the fact that the Committee has recognised the need for Wales to broker voluntary agreements and not follow the compulsory access route. This may be suitable for other countries but not for a country the size of Wales with its many visitors and pressures on its unique environment and farmed land.”