This follows the written statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS on the statutory four-yearly review of the regulations undertaken by Independent Chair, Dr Susannah Bolton, which was also published today.
Farmers frustration
NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “Farmers have waited four years for this review, so it is very frustrating that Welsh Government’s response today fails to reflect the sheer desperation of farmers in Wales in grappling with the impracticality and complexity of the regulations. Farmers will be extremely annoyed that nothing has materially changed as a result of today’s announcement – the existing regulations remain in place - and farmers, already under very significant pressure, now face the very real threat of additional regulation in the future.
“NFU Cymru has had long-running concerns about the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations. Prior to their introduction we were clear that the regulations were a blunt, inefficient, bureaucratic and costly instrument with high costs to agriculture and unintended consequences for the environment – that remains our position.
NFU Cymru survey
NFU Cymru Water Quality Group Chairman Martin Griffiths added: “The survey of over 400 farmers undertaken by NFU Cymru in 2024 to provide evidence to the independent review, sadly confirmed that our worst fears about the impact of the regulations are now being borne out on farms across Wales. Farming families are facing staggering costs and an unworkable regulatory burden that is challenging farm business viability and impacting on the health and well-being of farmers and their families.
“NFU Cymru would welcome better targeting of the regulations and reducing burdens on low-risk farming. However, the recommendation suggests farmers could have to wait up to three years to see this happen! Farmers cannot wait another three years to see change.
“Farmers will have little confidence in recommendations to only consider the possibility and explore alternative measures for closed periods and the 170kg nitrogen per hectare limit. The reality is that this work has already been undertaken and submitted to Welsh Government in line with the legislative requirements two-and-a-half years ago. Today is when we should have seen changes being enacted.
“Farmers will be exasperated that far from reducing the regulatory burden placed on them by the regulations, Welsh Government wants to add additional regulations, including for soils, nutrient management planning and air quality.”
Reviewing recommendations
In the coming days, NFU Cymru will consider Dr Bolton’s report in more detail, reviewing the recommendations against NFU Cymru’s evidence submission last December. NFU Cymru is clear that legislative change is urgently required to amend the regulations, addressing the most challenging aspects so they are proportionate and targeted.
Concluding, Mr Jones said: “For many farmers, the onerous regulatory burden is intolerable. It is clear that the much-needed improvements to the regulations will not be delivered by this government. We will continue to highlight to Welsh Government the damaging impacts imposed by the current regulatory approach and the need for a full independent review of the cumulative burden of regulations on Welsh farming families.”