Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition (in respect of his 'law officer' responsibilities) – in the Senedd at 3:54 pm on 9 February 2021.
The regulations are proportionate, in contrast to the implication in the Member's question, as they're targeted at specific activities that cause pollution. They will be introduced over a three-year time frame. In addition to that, whether it's the sustainable production grant or the rural development programme and grant schemes, financial support is being made available in order to support farmers to work towards that new regime, which is important for the support of our environment. And whilst recognising the financial costs incurred in regulation of any new sort, I would remind the Member that it was her party that sought to take £137 million this year out of the pockets of farmers, and it is the Welsh Government, in fact, that's found that money from other sources to make up the difference, to protect farmers from experiencing that financial hit.