The Welsh Government has today published the independently
chaired review of the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural
Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021, led by Dr Susannah Bolton,
alongside its response committing to implement all
recommendations in full.
The review, which examined the effectiveness of measures to
reduce water pollution from agricultural sources, found that
while the current regulatory approach is sound, there are
significant opportunities to make improvements to benefit the
environment and farmers. This includes improved targeting,
reducing burdens on low-risk farming activities, increasing
clarity for farmers and addressing regulatory gaps.
Deputy First Minister, with responsibility for Climate Change and
Rural Affairs, , said: "Clean water in our rivers, lakes and
seas is vital for us all. We need it for drinking, enjoying the
outdoors, and growing food – all parts of our daily lives depend
on it, and we must do everything possible to improve water
quality for future generations.
“However, water quality in Wales is still being detrimentally
impacted and improvements must continue to be made. Whilst the
causes of pollution are not limited to any one sector,
agriculture remains one of the main contributors.
"I would like to thank Dr Bolton for her thorough work on this
review. Her extensive engagement with stakeholders has produced
recommendations that demonstrate that those raising concerns have
been listened to.
"The review agrees with our overall approach to the regulations
but also shows ways we can make things better for both farmers
and our environment. I plan to put all these recommendations into
action.
“The existing rules will stay in place while the recommendations
are taken forward and we will work together with all interested
groups to develop these changes. We will make sure any new rules
are fair and reasonable, while still focusing on our main goal –
to reduce pollution from farming activities.”
The independent review makes recommendations in five key areas:
- Better targeting regulations at polluting activities while
reducing burdens on low-risk farming
- Improving accessibility and clarity of regulations for
farmers
- Exploring alternative measures, particularly regarding closed
periods and the 170kg nitrogen per hectare manure limit
- Supporting innovation in farming practices
- Addressing regulatory gaps, including soil protection
measures and nutrient management planning
Dr Susannah Bolton, who led the review, said: “The engagement I
have conducted for this review has demonstrated that there are
strongly shared aspirations for improving water quality in Wales.
I am genuinely optimistic that the recommended changes to the
regulation will enable a greater degree of common agency and
shared responsibility to address the challenges.”
Some changes, particularly those making regulations more
accessible and clearer, will be implemented quickly. However,
more complex recommendations requiring scientific and agronomic
expertise will take longer to develop.
Notes to editors
The Welsh Government has committed significant resources to
improve water quality, including:
- Over £40 million for a multi-year water quality improvement
programme
- £16 million for mining remediation
- £6 billion investment agreed with Wales' two water companies
- Additional funding for water quality enforcement
- £16 million in capital funding specifically for water quality
issues
- £52 million to help farms invest in infrastructure to address
agricultural pollution
- £1.58 million for enforcement of regulations in 2025-26
A strategic programme of work to implement the recommendations
will be announced in the coming weeks.
The full report and recommendations are available on the Welsh
Government website at 2pm on Monday 31 March:
Eng:https://www.gov.wales/statutory-review-control-agricultural-pollution-regulations-2025-review
Cym: https://www.llyw.cymru/adolygiad-statudol-or-rheoliadau-rheoli-llygredd-amaethyddol-adolygiad-2025
The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales)
Regulations 2021 are subject to a mandatory 4-year review.
The review delivers on the Welsh Government's Programme for
Government commitment to work with the farming community on
targeted approaches to pollution prevention.
Dr Susannah Bolton
Dr Bolton is a former 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.
