FUW cautions against tighter air pollution targets

Setting air pollution targets in Wales must not lead to tougher regulations for farming, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has warned.

Responding to a Welsh government consultation on new targets for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the pollutant considered most harmful to public health, the FUW said it opposes any further air quality regulation on farming families.

See also: New Wales task and finish group to address agri-pollution

Existing air quality standards derived from EU law still apply in Wales, providing continuity while new Welsh-specific mechanisms are developed.

Welsh ministers aim to introduce new targets through the Clean Air Plan for Wales: Healthy Air, Healthy Wales, which commits to developing and implementing a new target for fine particulate matter.

While the Welsh government hopes to have the regulations in force by 2027, it makes no recommendations on how any reduction could be made in relation to agriculture.

FUW policy officer Teleri Fielden said: “The FUW is opposed to any further regulation on farming families regarding air quality.

“Particularly given that emissions from agriculture are secondary particulate matter, and therefore only a pollutant once they react with other pollutants.”

Existing burden on farmers

The FUW stressed that Welsh farmers are already under intense pressure from the Control of Agricultural Pollution (CoAP) regulations introduced in 2021, with the infrastructure costs alone for Welsh farmers estimated to be as high as £360m.

“Any discussion of further regulations affecting agriculture must therefore take heed of the major mistakes and negative impact associated with the introduction of CoAP regulations and involve relevant stakeholders such as the FUW at every stage of discussions,” said Mrs Fielden.

Agriculture’s role in context

While agriculture is described as the second largest domestic contributor to PM2.5 at 7%, the FUW argues this must be properly contextualised.

Agricultural emissions are largely secondary particulates, and spatial pollution maps also show PM2.5 levels above recommended limits are mainly in urban, non-agricultural areas, the union highlighted.

“It continues to infuriate members that agriculture and food production receive such a focus on emissions reduction, while climate policies predict that aeroplane travel will continue at current levels,” said Mrs Fielden.

Furthermore, while car numbers have risen by about 60% over the past 30 years, livestock numbers in Wales have fallen by about 20% in the past two decades.

Addressing concerns about ammonia pollution from agriculture, the union said the Welsh government should provide farmers with practical, well-publicised support incentives to reduce emissions.