NFU urges members to speak out about new natural resources regulations

NFU Cymru is calling on farmers to get involved with the Welsh Government’s consultation on sustainable management of natural resources.

The Welsh Government is seeking views on a broad range of proposals which could have serious implications for farm businesses across Wales.

Proposals include enabling cycling and horse-riding on footpaths, extending CRoW Access land to rivers and other inland waters, as well as revoking the list of restrictions on CRoW Access land to allow organised games, camping, hang-gliding or paragliding.

Other proposals include the introduction of basic measures for the protection of water, air and soil quality. Basic measures are a regulatory approach that sets minimum standards for undertaking specified activities and include provision to penalise those found to be in breach.

NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board chair Hedd Pugh, said: “NFU Cymru is keen to ensure that farmers are aware of proposals that could have profound implications on the dayto-day running of their farm businesses.

“We will be consulting our members and formulating a consultation response in the usual way and would urge farmers to become involved in the consultation process and also to raise their concerns with their elected representatives to ensure their voice is heard.

“Overall, NFU Cymru is very disappointed that Welsh Government seems fixed on achieving the objective of the sustainable management of natural resources via costly regulation of farm businesses.

“We are clear that the new legislative framework and ways of working present the opportunity for the industry to work with Welsh Government and NRW on the development of voluntary partnership approaches that deliver better outcomes for farming, the environment and society,” added Mr Pugh.