Welsh farming union NFU Cymru has joined forces with a Pembrokeshire campaigner to canvas views on the Welsh Government’s Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) proposals.
The Royal Welsh Winter Fair will see NFU Cymru carrying out a survey to collate views and understand the impact across the agricultural sector of the proposals put forward as part of Welsh Government’s current consultation on the Nitrate Directive in Wales.
A nitrate vulnerable zone is a conservation designation for areas of land that drain into nitrate polluted waters, or waters which could become polluted by nitrates. In line with the Nitrates Directive, EU Member States are required to undertake a review to assess and designate areas as NVZs every four years.
The consultation seeks views on the designation of specific areas, including a significant area in Pembrokeshire, a number of smaller areas in Anglesey and Carmarthenshire, together with an extension to the NVZ area in Clwyd. Alternatively, a whole territory approach could be adopted that would see the whole of Wales designated as an NVZ.
NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board Chairman Hedd Pugh said: "Any new NVZ designations in Wales are likely to have a significant impact on farm businesses and the wider rural economy.
"Proposals also have to be considered in the context of difficult market conditions across all sectors which will challenge the ability of some farmers to make the investments required to comply with the regulation.
"It is, therefore, of vital importance that designations are only taken forward where the evidence is robust and where it can be demonstrated that comprehensive monitoring has been undertaken by Natural Resources Wales."
'Wide ramifications of proposals'
Today (Monday 28th November), the first day of the Winter Fair, the Union will team up with Nicola Savage, who helps run the family business Sean Savage Agricultural Contractor in Hayscastle, to highlight the potential impact of these proposals.
Nicola has started a petition in opposition to the Welsh Government’s plans and has already collected more than 330 signatures.
Stephen James, NFU Cymru President, said: “Nicola’s story is important because it highlights the wider ramifications of these proposals – the shockwaves felt by the industry will have a ripple effect that will also affect agricultural contractors and, subsequently, the rural economy.
“We really want Welsh Government to think long and hard about the detrimental impact of these proposals. NFU Cymru is clear that the environmental outcomes could be better delivered using an alternative approach. We would urge as many people as possible to come along to our stand at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair and make their voice heard by filling in our survey.”
