6. What measures will the Cabinet Secretary take to support Welsh farmers in the next 12 months? (OAQ51001)

Thank you. I want to see a more efficient, profitable and sustainable agricultural sector in Wales. I am supporting our farmers to achieve this through innovative use of funding available, including the sustainable production grant, the farm business grant, the strategic initiative for agriculture, as well as through Farming Connect.

Thank you for the long answer, Minister. One measure that would certainly not support Welsh farmers would be the Welsh Government’s proposal to designate further areas of Wales as nitrate vulnerable zones. A recent survey by NFU Cymru found that nearly three quarters of farmers who responded did not have sufficient slurry storage on their farms to meet the proposed NVZ requirements and it would cost on average some £80,000 for them to do so. Will the Cabinet Secretary call a halt to these proposals, which could have a ruinous and a financially very negative effect on our farming industry in Wales?

Well, I can’t call a halt to the NVZ review because that’s a statutory requirement under the nitrates directive, so I think it needs to be viewed within that. You’ll be aware that we had a consultation on NVZ. That closed at the end of December. We received a large number of responses—I think it was over 250—many, many more than the previous time we’ve had to review it. I’m very keen to work with the farming unions and the farmers and the sector as a whole to develop solutions, and, of course, I do understand there would be a cost. However, I don’t want to pre-empt the consultation, but I will be making an announcement by the end of this year.