River Pollution from Agriculture

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:45 pm on 13 October 2021.

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Photo of Jane Dodds Jane Dodds Liberal Democrat 2:45, 13 October 2021

Good afternoon, Minister. Just following on from my colleague's question around the River Wye, living on the River Wye as I do, in Hay-on-Wye, I do get additional questions and issues brought up around this issue. It's a very live concern. The River Wye, like other rivers, runs through both England and Wales, so there is a complex issue here about how we work across borders. This week, The Times newspaper featured an admission, for the first time, from a big chicken supplier, Avara Foods, that the use of chicken farms contributes to the pollution in the Wye catchment area. And having met with organisations locally and nationally who are concerned about the pollution in the River Wye, including—very important to say this—representatives from farming unions, who themselves are very, very concerned and committed to tackling river pollution, I would like to ask you, Minister, how you intend, as my colleague has mentioned, to work to strengthen the abilities of Natural Resources Wales, and their active role with Natural England, in order to ensure that we tackle river pollution with the appropriate resources and budget to deliver a clear action plan. And I wonder if I could ask you to meet with me—and perhaps there may be others as well—to discuss strengthening Natural Resources Wales. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.