Lack of grassroots farming voices on NRW Board under fire

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has been criticised by a Welsh farming union for the lack of grassroots farming representation on its 12-member board.

NRW has recently appointed three new board members – Dr Hushneara Begum (a sustainable procurement expert), Rebecca Colley-Jones (an environmental leader), and Adam Taylor (former chief executive for Gwent Wildlife Trust).

See also: Welsh government pays Natural Resources Wales £19m tax bill

However, the choices have sparked criticism from NFU Cymru.

“Regrettably to many farmers, the current composition of the NRW board will lead them to the conclusion that the body is more remote than ever from Welsh farming communities,” a spokesman told Farmers Weekly. 

“NFU Cymru is clear that a cultural shift within NRW and stronger representation of the farming and rural voice is urgently needed.”

The farming union said that, as farmers are central to the delivery of key Welsh government and NRW climate and nature objectives, “greater levels of knowledge, experience and understanding of Welsh farming within NRW is vital for the delivery of our shared ambitions, including the sustainable growth of the farming industry”.

“All too often, our members cite NRW as a key obstacle in the development of their businesses through, for example, the permitting regime or as a statutory consultee in the planning process.

“Through the charging regime, farmers face escalating fees without sufficient focus on NRW efficiency and performance.”

In many instances, the spokesman said, the NRW approach to regulatory inspections is adding to levels of stress and anxiety within Welsh farming families.

“We have also experienced shifts in NRW policy positions, for example, on authorisations for sheep dip disposal, which have profound effects on farm businesses taken in the absence of proper consultation or consideration of impacts,” the spokesman added.  

Welsh government response

A Welsh government spokesman said that NRW has well-established and positive relationships with the agriculture sector and its board has regular engagement with stakeholders to discuss environmental issues affecting the farming industry.

“We recently used a recruitment consultant to search for potential candidates to sit as non-executive members to NRW’s board, who was able to work with varied networks across Wales and source a diverse pool of candidates.

“Throughout the search, they actively engaged with organisations including Hybu Cig Cymru, The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, Future Farmers of Wales and Farming Connect to encourage applications,” said the spokesman.

NRW response

NRW also insists that it maintains regular contact with farmers to ensure their interests are considered. 

“We work with the Wales Land Management Forum, which provides an opportunity for us and other membership organisations to share information, identify common interests and work together in a collaborative way on strategic land management issues,” said a spokesperson. 

“Also, following the implementation of the Agricultural Pollution Regulations, we set up dedicated teams who are working with farmers to support them in operating their farms in a manner that is compliant with the regulations. 

“This is in addition to our work engaging with farming unions, through Farming Connect and at events such as the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show.”