Lesley Griffiths MS, Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd
I am pleased to launch our consultation on Nutrient management – Managing the application of livestock manures sustainably.
The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 seek to tackle the causes of water pollution from agricultural activities across Wales. The measures help to meet the delivery of a wide range of our international and domestic obligations and uphold the good reputation enjoyed by Welsh farming for high environmental and animal welfare standards.
We are committed to working with the farming community in the deployment of the regulations to improve water and air quality, taking an approach targeted at those activities known to cause pollution.
Phase 2 of the regulations come into force on 1 January 2023, with the exception of the annual 170kg/ha holding nitrogen limit for livestock manure, which will begin from April 2023.
We are consulting on a licensing scheme whereby any farm business can apply for a licence for a higher annual holding nitrogen limit of 250kg/ha subject to crop need and other legal considerations. We are consulting on proposals for such a scheme to be operational until 2025.
This proposed licensing scheme is part of the package of measures the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru agreed in October to progress the implementation of the Co-operation Agreement commitment on agricultural pollution.
The consultation will close on 17 February 2023, and I would like to invite everyone who has a view to consider our proposals. I look forward to hearing your views.