Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 1:40 pm on 3 February 2021.
I'm astounded Janet Finch-Saunders thinks the voluntary approach has worked. Over the last 20 years, apart from 2009, we have had well over 100 agricultural pollutions every year—for 20 years. Now, I always believe people don't like being told what to do, and I always think any sector or any industry buys into regulations or legislation, or any other procedures, if they are part of that solution, and that's why I wanted to work with them to come forward with the voluntary approach. As I say, four years ago, I remember sitting at the National Farmers Union conference in Birmingham where I was told, 'Give us six months; we will make this work.' It didn't work. We are still having all these incidents of agricultural pollution year on year, and whilst I absolutely agree with you there is support for the agricultural sector, there is no support, apart from, I can see, Conservative and Plaid Cymru Members who want to annul these regulations, for agricultural pollution. So, over 100 every year for 20 years, and the president of NFU Cymru himself has said one agricultural pollution is one too many. So, how can you possibly justify over 100 per year? This is proportionate. What is really important is that you have a clear regulatory baseline, so that enables the good practice. At the moment, without that clear baseline, unfortunately poor practice is going unchecked. And, of course, it's not every farmer, so what we want to do—. Why should the farmers who do adhere to this be punished? It's about ambition. I've got great ambition for the sector, and I think they will be able to do this.