The National Farmers’ Union of Wales (NFU Cymru) has said the Control of the Agricultural Pollution Regulations are “not fit for purpose”, and has established a water quality review group.
The NFU Cymru Water Quality Review Group will support the development of NFU Cymru’s policy position in relation to the review of the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations.
The regulations focus on the environmental risk from poor manure management and are based on current good practice recommendations.
They include the requirement for water to be protected from pollution related to when, where and how fertilisers are spread.
NFU Cymru has established the group ahead of the Welsh government’s four-yearly review of the regulations, and following news that it will appoint an independent external chair to oversee the regulatory review process.
The review must be completed by April 2025.
The government also confirmed that a regulatory impact assessment will be undertaken on the impact of the 170 kg/N/ha limit and an impact assessment will be undertaken for any proposals consulted upon.
NFU Cymru president Aled Jones has invited Ceredigion dairy farmer and NFU Cymru dairy board vice chair Martin Griffiths to chair the water quality review group.
‘Direct threat to food production’
Jones said the Control of the Agricultural Pollution Regulations result in significant negative impacts to farm business viability as well as contributing to the stress of farming families, adding that they are a “direct threat to food production in Wales”.
“In this context, NFU Cymru has called for the four-year review of the Control of Agricultural Regulations to be expedited and undertaken prior to December 31, 2024 when the Enhanced Nutrient Management Approach that allows farmers to operate above the 170 kg/N/ha limit is due to end.
“It is clear that a long-term sustainable solution to N limits is needed.”
New NFU Cymru Water Quality Review Group chair Martin Griffiths said: “I welcome the opportunity to chair the NFU Cymru Water Quality Review Group.
“Farmers across Wales and across all sectors continue to grapple with many aspects of the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations.
“This includes the very significant investment costs, securing the necessary planning permissions and achieving compliance with the draconian record-keeping requirements.”
The pan-Wales nature of the regulations means that all farmers are affected irrespective of local conditions, Griffiths said.
“We believe the review of the regulations should provide the opportunity to amend the regulations so they are workable and achievable on all Welsh farms, delivering the outcomes we all want to see including the continued supply of affordable food for all in society, viable farm businesses and thriving rural communities alongside improvements to water quality where these have been shown to be needed.”
