7. Will the Minister make a statement on the performance of Natural Resources Wales? OAQ54476

Thank you. NRW's dedicated staff perform a range of challenging roles, protecting us and our environment 24 hours a day. This was evident again during recent floods. I have every confidence in their ability to manage our natural resources and strongly believe they will achieve the best outcomes for Wales, now and in the future. 

Thank you, Minister. I don't share your confidence, I'm sorry. I'm in regular contact with anglers on the River Dee, whose catchment area supplies water to 3 million people in north Wales and north-west England. These anglers are our eyes and ears on the rivers, and NRW need them. I'm deeply concerned that they describe a night-and-day difference between their interaction with the former environment agency and NRW. They are increasingly frustrated and feel that NRW has simply lost interest in their reports of pollution, in providing any help to clear fallen trees, and in the health and habitat of fish and other species in the rivers. What can you say to them to start to rebuild trust and confidence in NRW?

I'm very sorry that you don't share my view of NRW staff. In relation to the specific issue that you raise with me, I will certainly have a discussion with the chair and chief exec at my regular monthly meetings. That's certainly not the impression that I'm given. We've had some significant pollution incidents in our rivers this year, and I've been reassured by the way that NRW have answered those calls to go and investigate them. So, I'm very concerned to hear what you're saying, but I am sorry that you don't share my view of NRW staff.