Farmers left baffled as NVZs set to be replaced

WELSH farming has been thrown into confusion after ministers revealed plans to introduce a new law to tackle agri pollution.

In December a consultation will be launched on a new “regulatory framework” designed to replace the all-Wales Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) – which is not yet even in place.

The Welsh Government also wants to introduce National Minimum Standards for farming based on the EU’s Cross Compliance regime.

The proposals were unveiled in Cardiff’s new Clean Air Plan for Wales. This also includes a focus on woodlands, reinforcing the existing target of doubling annual planting rates to 4,000ha as soon as possible.

The proposals have baffled farmers as rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths previously pledged to put agri pollution measures on hold until after the Covid crisis.

NFU Cymru fears Cardiff’s pursuit of regulatory solutions now appears to be its “default position”.

Deputy president Aled Jones worries the new plan will extend Cardiff’s regulatory grip on farming still further.

“Farmers will be angered that this old-fashioned, bureaucratic approach to addressing nitrates from agriculture is now being rehashed to address a broader range of issues when that was never its intention,” he said.

Cardiff says further sector controls are needed as 85% of ammonia emissions in Wales are derived from farming.

As well as regulation, this will be achieved through advice and from measures within the future Sustainable Farming scheme.

New legislation will be imposed “when advice and support are unlikely to reach the same outcome”.

However, proposals for National Minimum Standards will amount to a future regulatory baseline regardless of any separate legislation, said Mr Jones.

“Farmers will also be highly concerned if this is imposed without any consideration of whether the sector can absorb the costs if the Basic Payment Scheme is phased out,” he said.

The Clean Air Plan also proposes investment in active travel, better rail services and zero exhaust emissions in taxis and buses by 2028. It also aims to cut vehicle use through road user charging and Clean Air/Low Emission Zones.

Large-scale afforestation is a concern for many in rural Wales and Nigel Hollett, director CLA Cymru, warned: “Rural people should not be discriminated for the responsible use of sustainably grown logs as a source of heating.”