AS, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change
and Rural Affairs: I am pleased to announce the appointment
of Dr Susannah Bolton as independent external chair to oversee
the statutory review of the Water Resources (Control of
Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021. This
appointment is a key step forward in Welsh Government's ongoing
commitment to ensure policies and legislation designed to tackle
pollution in Wales are sustainable for both farm businesses and
the natural environment. The review is an integral part of our
Programme for Government commitment to work with the farming
community to deploy the Water Resources Regulations 2021 taking
an approach targeted at those activities known to cause
pollution.
About the chair
Dr Bolton is Vice Principal for Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange
for Scotland's Rural College, supporting the development of
mission-led approaches to address the challenges facing food
production and the natural economy. Until December 2021, she was
Research Director for the Agriculture and Horticulture
Development Board (AHDB), responsible for a programme of applied
research on behalf of farmers and processors across the arable,
horticulture, ruminant and pork sectors of the UK.
Prior to that, Dr Bolton was Knowledge Exchange Director and
oversaw the development of the AHDB Farm Excellence Platform, a
farmer network of over 70 farm businesses, delivering knowledge
exchange, peer to peer learning and benchmarking. She has a PhD
in Tropical Agroforestry and spent 3 years working with the
research provider EMBRAPA in North East Brazil, following which
she was responsible for international relations and external
communications at Rothamsted Research.
Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations
The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution)
Regulations were introduced in April 2021 and set out an
all-Wales approach to reducing the detrimental impacts of
pollution from agricultural activities on our environment and the
well-being of future generations, including the sector itself.
Implementation has been phased-in over a four-year period and the
final set of measures will come into force by the end of the
year. A 12-month Enhanced Nutrient Management Approach was
introduced for the 2024 calendar year.
Statutory review
At least every four years, the effectiveness of the measures
imposed by the Regulations as a means of reducing or preventing
water pollution from agricultural sources must be reviewed and,
if necessary, revised. Preparatory work for the review has been
undertaken and the review, which will be overseen by Dr Bolton,
will provide a prime opportunity to take stock and to listen
further to the wide range of views on the effectiveness of the
regulations. As part of this, we will continue to engage with
stakeholders, including on the alternative measures proposals, in
a true spirit of partnership.
A final report and recommendations from the review to Welsh
Ministers are expected by the end of March 2025.
I attach great importance to this review and I am very grateful
to Dr Bolton for taking on the role of independent chair. Dr
Bolton's appointment marks an important milestone in ensuring
this review is undertaken in a collaborative way and is effective
in helping to deliver positive outcomes for farmers and the
environment in Wales.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep
members informed. Should members wish me to make a further
statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns
I would be happy to do so.
