3. Will you provide an update on the guidance the Welsh Government has issued to planning authorities on slurry lagoons? OAQ(5)0078(ERA)

Thank you. ‘Planning Policy Wales’ is clear the planning system should promote good environmental practice that includes minimising the risks of pollution. Guidance on slurry lagoons is available from Welsh Government as part of implementing the Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (Wales) Regulations 2010.

Thank you for that answer. I listened very carefully to what you had to say to other Members around the Chamber, because, already, farmers are struggling to get permission for slurry lagoons. You talk about the 65 per cent who don’t comply—I would ask you, Minister, how many of those farm holdings have struggled to get planning permission and have faced incredibly fierce opposition from locals who do not want to have a slurry lagoon on their doorstep? That is the reality, and the question I would like to pose to you is: we have the potential of the NVZs coming through, what discussions have you had with your Cabinet colleagues as to how you can change the planning system, which has a negative bias built into it, and what can you do to overcome the costs involved and the objection of local residents so that farmers can go ahead and put lagoons in where appropriate and where they’re not going to be damaged by any potential NVZ? Because I would like to remind you, with the greatest respect, Cabinet Secretary, that farmers are very good stewards of our land and they do face an enormous uphill struggle, particularly against planning authorities.

With respect, I don’t have to have any discussions with my Cabinet Secretary colleagues because I’m responsible for planning, too. So, I’m able to restructure planning policy, particularly in light of the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. I think it’s really important that we have that strategic and long-term commitment within the planning system to promote sustainable development—that includes minimising pollution.

You’re absolutely right, the majority of farmers absolutely look after their land. The one thing that has struck me in my many discussions over the past few months with farmers is the pride they take in that land management and that they are so much more than food producers, for instance. The stewardship of land is something that I absolutely don’t think is recognised by the public in the way it should be. I have had several discussions with farmers when I’ve visited them, and I always ask to see their slurry lagoon—I think I’m getting a bit of a reputation—because it is such an important aspect of life for them. I know that some of them have had difficulties with planning, I can’t tell you how many or how specific it is to local objections, but it is important that our planning policy assists them where they want to do that.

Well, the task is becoming more difficult because, from what I understand, the Pembrokeshire cabinet has opposed the NVZ, and this morning, Carmarthenshire County Council also voted against the NVZ. But, of course, the purpose of a slurry lagoon is to keep slurry until it is used in a meaningful way or is spread or used in that way. So, what discussions are you having with contractors, who are an important part of this jigsaw, given that they are responsible for transporting slurry from lagoons and redistributing the wealth, if you like, across an area? They will be severely impacted by the fact that they will have to lay off their workforce over the winter if the NVZ is introduced, and it will be more perhaps difficult to get contractors to work in a scientific way as possible, as happens now. Is there any discussion with contractors around this use of slurry and the NVZs?

I haven’t personally had any, but I know my officials have. We’ve worked with the Construction Industry Research and Information Association also. It is a very important point that you raise about the capacity of the lagoons, as to how much can be used at any one time. I think that was part of the early engagement, prior to going out to consultation.