Senedd Cymru	Welsh Parliament
Pwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig	Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Rheoliadau Llygredd Amaethyddol	Agricultural Pollution Regulations
Economy(6) APR04
Ymateb gan: Ymateb unigol	Evidence from: Individual response

I live by the River Lugg in Powys, one of the tributaries of the River Wye. The devastation of the Wye, despite its environmental designations, is being largely caused by pollution from, and neglect of, the land surrounding and discharging into its watercourse, most of which is in Wales. Although there are many causes of this, agricultural pollution plays a heavy, long-standing and increasing contributory role.

As an ex-farmer in Eryri, I hear and understand the negative reaction of the agriculture sector to the changes to the rules from January but feel that these changes are much needed and should be continued. The timescale is reasonable and the desired effects should be achievable under these new regulations.

However, I am concerned on two main issues.

1. Are there sufficient numbers of paid staff within the sectors (eg agriculture, environmental, NRW) to advise, monitor and enforce the regulations?

2. The effect on farmers' attitude to what they perceive as imposition could be mitigated by changes to laws relating to operators of other forms of pollution - eg water companies, sewage works, domestic properties which are also part of the problem for the rivers.

Wales is capable under your government of making the environmental changes needed to avert the climate and ecological emergencies. They call for bold actions, like this legislation.