Intensive Poultry Units

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:28 pm on 15 September 2021.

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Photo of Joyce Watson Joyce Watson Labour 2:28, 15 September 2021

I thank you for that answer, but according to research by Wildlife Trust Wales, Powys now has more than 150 intense poultry units, housing an estimated 10 million chickens. As a result, an extra 2,000 tonnes of phosphate a year are estimated to be spread onto land in the Wye catchment area. Last September, I asked you for an update on the intensive agriculture working group that was looking at planning guidance for new poultry developments, and you assured me that it was a matter of urgency. And I agree it is, even more so now a year later. Last month, your colleague the Minister for Climate Change wrote to me to assure me that work to understand the source of phosphate pollution in special areas of conservation rivers is under way, and I really welcome that. Given the urgency of the situation, however, can you outline the time frame for that work, please? Will you consider pressing pause on all planning permission for new or extended poultry units until the environmental and community impact of the existing units are fully assessed and understood?