The joined-up approach to agricultural pollution
Interim chair of Natural Resources Wales Sir David Henshaw explains how collaborative working can help tackle the issue of agricultural pollution
Agriculture is the backbone of the Welsh rural economy and during my first month as the new chairman of Natural Resources Wales, I’ve become more aware of how farming shapes the countryside around our communities and the influence it has on our environment.
During this first month, Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths announced she intended to introduce new regulations in the spring aimed at cutting incidents of agricultural pollution. I welcome this move, and I’ve written to Ms Griffiths to outline how this needs to work alongside other measures that are already under way.
Agriculture has been responsible for between 115-165 substantiated pollution incidents annually during each of the past eight years, with around half linked to dairy farms. Our evidence shows these incidents are caused be a small minority of farmers – only around 3.8% of dairy farms in Wales are involved in a substantiated pollution incident each year.
And so, as I travel through Wales, I ponder where we are and where we’re going in terms of agriculture, particularly within the dairy sector.
We know herd sizes are increasing, which means so is the amount of slurry generated. The question farmers need to ask is whether they have the infrastructure and land availability to manage the safe storage and control of slurry. Spreading slurry and manure is beneficial, provided it is done on land that has the capacity to safely absorb the nutrients. Nutrient management planning is key.
Slurry is an important financial resource on farms, potentially providing valuable, low-cost nutrients, with each cow producing an average value of £78 per year. However, it is also a major pollutant if it enters watercourses. It strips the oxygen from the water and kills river life. While the pollution may pass within hours and the water may run clear, the longterm effect can be devastating. Species such as trout, salmon, dippers and grey wagtails are reliant on insect larvae and crustaceans. When these kinds are killed alongside the fish, the recovery of our streams and rivers can then take many years.
These same streams and rivers provide us with a huge range of benefits in Wales – including clean drinking water and water for business use and recreation opportunities.
So agricultural pollution is a problem that we all need to tackle as part of sustainably managing our natural resources and safeguarding the wellbeing of future generations.
There is no one silver bullet to solve this problem – the solution is a combination of different approaches, all supported by new ways of thinking.
Effective regulation is one of the tools available and when we couple it with advice, voluntary initiatives, assurance and investment measures and making best use of innovation, it provides a potent mix that will help improve river water quality while at the same time helping farming thrive and be sustainable for the future.
Tackling agricultural pollution needs a joined-up approach. Farmers, agricultural bodies, anglers, regulators, water companies, conservationists and the Welsh Government are now working together through the Wales Land Management Forum (WLMF) subgroup on agricultural pollution to address the issue collectively. One of our NRW board members, Zoe Henderson, chairs this important group.
Several projects by WLMF members are under way, including the appointment of eight new agricultural officers by NRW. These officers will work with farmers across Wales, advising on how to prevent pollution and comply with regulations, as well as sharing best practice. The aim is to visit around 30% of the 1,700 dairy farms in Wales during this first year.
Farming Connect has mainstreamed a package of awareness, advice and training for Welsh farmers and there is a targeted programme of support for farmers within 28 priority catchments that are significantly affected by agricultural pollution.
Dwr Cymru is expanding its successful PestSmart project; Gelli Aur agricultural college is looking at dewatering innovations; and we’re supporting an NFU Cymru-led partnership project to develop a voluntary farmer-led approach to nutrient management.
And these approaches are having an impact. A recent survey for Menter a Busnes shows 87% of farmers rate agricultural pollution as an extremely important topic, and 1,047 applications have been made for Nutrient Management Plans under the Farming Connect Advisory Service. There are also now seven new Agrisgôp groups dedicated to tackling agricultural pollution in the Gele, Pendine, Trothy, Lleyn Peninsula, Beacons, Olway and Crychiau catchments.
We need a combination of approaches, as every farm is different. Using all available tools, I think we’re more likely to achieve the stepchange we’re all seeking. I’m confident that the Cabinet Secretary’s new regulations can complement, support and build on the progress made so far.
Wales’ fantastic rivers, lakes and coastal waters play a vital role in the economy and people’s wellbeing and provide a home for important species like salmon and sea trout. It is in everyone’s best interests that we all come together to collectively tackle this ongoing and unacceptable problem.