First published in 2019, the National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) sets out the policies and measures that may be required to limit emissions in accordance with the Emission Reduction Commitments (ERCs) established under the National Emission Ceilings Regulations 2018. Under the Regulations, the Secretary of State is required to review the UK National Air Pollution Programme by 15 September 2022 as a result of the 2021 UK emission projections which showed that there was a risk that the UK might exceed its emission reduction commitments.
In the revised draft NAPCP, the UK Government and the devolved administrations have outlined policies and measures (PaMs) which will be considered further in order to reduce emissions in accordance with the national emission reduction commitments and those that will not be considered further at this stage.
Seven packages
The policies and measures to be considered further fall within seven packages including solid fuels, communications on burning, cleaner stoves, agriculture, industry, road transport and net zero. In our response NFU Cymru will focus on the proposed policies and measures most relevant to the farming sector in Wales.
Overall, in developing policies and measures for the NAPCP, NFU Cymru is strongly opposed to a regulatory approach. We highlight the majority of farm businesses are small or medium sized enterprises and they do not have the level of capital or resources available to them to ensure they comply with ever increasing levels of complex regulation.
NFU Cymru also believes that Emissions Reductions Commitments for air quality should be tackled by all sectors and policies and measures should be underpinned by sound scientific evidence and have clear benefits for productivity as well as the environment.