NFU Cymru responds to water quality statement

12 December 2019

Responding to the written and oral statements made by Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs on Agricultural Pollution Regulations dated 11 December 2019, NFU Cymru Deputy President Aled Jones said: “We are encouraged that in Plenary Questions yesterday [11 December], the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths AM continues to recognise the very real challenges that a ‘farming by calendar’ approach will bring. NFU Cymru remains committed to working with government and all those with an interest in water quality to support the industry to make improvements in water quality where these are found to be needed.

“We are clear the report submitted by the Wales Land Management Forum sub-group on agricultural pollution to the Minister in April 2018 provides a blueprint for a way forward.

“NFU Cymru categorically rejects any proposals which include the introduction of the Nitrates Directive and Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) across the whole of Wales. This is on the basis of the great harm it will do to farm businesses and our rural communities across Wales which, the evidence shows, greatly outweigh any benefits to water quality that an NVZ approach can deliver. An all-Wales NVZ approach is not evidence-based, proportionate or targeted.”

More on water quality regulations:

NVZ Senedd Water quality

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