Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:59 pm on 15 November 2022.
I certainly welcome your statement, Minister, today. I think it's a good statement, and I thank you for your engagement with me, because, obviously, rivers are an important part, and some of these issues are really resonating in my community.
I know that the Welsh Government are piloting drainage and wastewater management plans ahead of placing them on a statutory footing next year, and I would be interested to know more about how these pilots are progressing and what lessons you may have already learnt from them. Looking at the pollution side of things, there are regular suggestions that intensive poultry units in and around the Wye catchment in particular may be having an adverse effect. Yet, there seems to be conflicting evidence in this regard of exactly the impact that such farming is having on pollution levels, and I think we really do need clarity on that. I refer Members to my interest there, not that I've got any chickens at all.
In line with the team Wales approach also, I'd be interested to hear, Minister, how the Government and Natural Resources Wales are working with farmers around the Usk and Wye catchments to improve farming practices to help reduce pollution, and what work the Government has undertaken to analyse what impact intensive farm practices are having on water quality and how this can be mitigated. Thank you.