Wales wide approach considered to tackle nitrate pollution from farms

Agricultural use of nitrates is a "major source of water pollution"
Agricultural use of nitrates is a "major source of water pollution"

Wales will introduce a whole-country approach to tackling nitrate pollution from agriculture and improve water quality, the government has confirmed.

Following an extensive consultation on Nitrate Vulnerable Zones last year, work is now underway to develop a balance of "regulatory measures, voluntary measures and investment".

This will also include exploring further options to provide farmers with flexibility, where these would achieve the same or better outcomes than a regulatory approach.

Most respondents in the consultation recognised the significant impact nitrate pollution is having on water, businesses and human and environmental well-being throughout Wales and agreed further action was needed.

The majority of nitrate in groundwater in the UK is derived from diffuse pollution from agriculture, with the rest from sewage sludge disposal to land, atmospheric deposition and point sources.

According to the British Geological Survey, the loading has significantly increased due to post-1945 agricultural intensification due both to ploughing of grassland and to increased fertiliser applications.

'Major source'

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said agricultural use of nitrates is a "major source of water pollution".

“Poor nutrient management is still a major problem across Wales. Pollution of this kind is entirely preventable and is simply not acceptable in the 21st century.

“We should not, at the end of 2017, see significant stretches of some of our most well known and popular rivers largely devoid of fish, proving just how much work remains to be done.

“Wales’ waters need much greater protection from agricultural pollution and that is why I am minded to introduce a whole Wales approach to tackling nitrate pollution from agriculture.”

Ms Griffiths said Wales has some of the finest countryside and stretches of water in Europe, which people have a "duty to protect and enhance".

'Details and implications'

However, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has given a cautious welcome to the announcement.

FUW President Glyn Roberts, said: “This seems to be a far more proportionate way forward than some of the options that had been proposed, but we need time to assess the details and their implications.

“As a member of the three groups which will be looking at these approaches, the FUW looks forward to working on approaches which are proportionate proactive voluntary approaches which deliver positive outcomes.

“NVZ and other regulatory approaches are blunt instruments which often do not tackle the main sources of problems, and what can be complex problems. More targeted and flexible approaches can therefore better address the real causes of problems, as well as increasing engagement with industry.”

'Evidence is clear'

NFU Cymru has welcomed the plans. President Stephen James said the "evidence is clear" that there are a range of issues and sectors affecting water quality in Wales, however, the farming union said it recognises the role that farmers have to play in contributing to improved water quality in the years ahead.

“Farmers take their environmental responsibilities extremely seriously and NFU Cymru has always championed an approach that sees the Union working in collaboration with Welsh Government and other partners,” Mr James added.

“We are pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has made reference to the off-set scheme that has been operating successfully by a group of First Milk farmers in the Cleddau Catchment. This scheme, championed by NFU Cymru members Will Prichard and Mike Smith, was highlighted in NFU Cymru’s consultation response, and subsequently, as an example of a workable alternative delivering measurable reductions in nitrates.

“We are encouraged that the Cabinet Secretary intends to work in partnership with stakeholders to explore a Wales-wide approach to tackling issues influencing water quality through a flexible, outcome-focussed approach that will allow farmers to deliver improvements in water quality.

“The Cabinet Secretary has rightly recognised the role of investment support as this highlights the significant costs associated with slurry and manure storage infrastructure on farm, and the Union welcomes this.”