Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 1:51 pm on 14 October 2020.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 1:51, 14 October 2020

The Member will be aware that, earlier this year—around Easter time—I laid draft agricultural pollution regulations. At the time, and probably for the previous three years, when agricultural pollution was discussed, I made it very clear that we would look to support our farmers if they were looking for new infrastructure, for example, in order to deal with agricultural pollution and to avoid agricultural pollution, which of course the majority of farmers do. What I did say is that I would not give funding to bring them up to be compliant. I expect them to be compliant. We are seeing far too many incidents of agricultural pollution and, as I say, the draft regulations are there for people to look at. It was really important that they were laid for transparency, and I will be looking to take further steps in relation to the regulations. Poultry producers are highly monitored and routinely inspected. I have committed not to do anything while we are at the height of the pandemic, but, clearly, we are still seeing incidents of agricultural pollution that will need to be dealt with.