Water Summit convened to address agricultural pollution

Wales deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies is calling for more collaborative action across sectors to tackle agricultural pollution and improve water quality.

Speaking ahead of a Water Summit to be held on Thursday (25 September) at the Pembrokeshire County Showground, Mr Irranca-Davies said: “Good water quality isn’t just an environmental goal. It’s a foundation for a strong, resilient, farming future here in Wales.”

The summit is intended to explore how government, farmers, water companies and environmental groups can work together to clean up Wales’ rivers and coastal waters. 

See also: NVZ review: Welsh farmer frustration continues with rules

Extra funding

The Welsh government has so far committed £52m to support nutrient management improvements, receiving more than 540 applications in the latest funding round.

A further £550,000 for the West Wales Nutrient Management Board was also announced, which will pay for the installation of real-time water quality monitors to tackle nutrient pollution and a dedicated marine nutrients co-ordinator.

Mr Irranca-Davies said that improving the health of Wales’s rivers “requires action from water companies, regulators, government, developers, farmers, environmental organisations and more”.

“We need a whole of society response, where every sector takes responsibility for doing what we can,” he said. 

Sustainable Farming Scheme

The Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), the Welsh government added, will play a central role in future improvements.

Pointing to the Universal Actions of the scheme, it said soil health, integrated pest management and habitat maintenance, combined with the right advice and guidance, will benefit water quality.

“Together we can rise to the challenge and show that farming and water protection are not at odds – they’re part of the same future,” said Mr Irranca-Davies. 

Industry response

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) said it looked forward to hearing how the plans will work and how it is being taken forward by the current and incoming Welsh government.

FUW president Ian Rickman said: “Farm businesses want to address water pollution, but in order for them to do so in an effective and sustainable manner, the correct tools and policy levers must be developed in collaboration with the industry.”

NFU Cymru president Aled Jones added that legislative change is “urgently required” to address the most challenging aspects so they are “proportionate and targeted” and address water quality issues where they are shown to be needed. 

A follow-up Water Summit will take place later this year to keep driving progress on actions identified.