<p>River Pollution</p>

Part of 1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 2:16 pm on 28 June 2017.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:16, 28 June 2017

Certainly, in the year I’ve been in this portfolio, we’ve seen an increase in the number, particularly, of significant pollution incidents in our watercourses, most notably in the Teifi in west Wales and also the Honddu in Monmouthshire. I do think NRW are fit for purpose. I expect them to fully use their legal powers in dealing with these cases. I know they are sometimes frustrated that so few come to prosecution. I think there’s a really big piece of work to be done around pollution of farms. You’ll be aware agricultural pollution is often a cause and that’s the discussion that I have with farmers. I’ve just gone out to consultation in relation nitrate vulnerable zones and will be coming forward with a statement in the autumn. I think, as I say, there is a big piece of work to be done and it’s a piece of work that we are undertaking.