Enforcement of Welsh NVZ regs “challenging”, admits WG

A top Welsh government official has admitted that enforcing the next phase of the controversial water regulations will be “challenging”.

During a recent scrutiny committee, Plaid Cymru MS Llyr Gruffydd questioned Vaughan Gething, then first minister, on what the government intended to do with the farmers who are “stuck in the planning system”, unable to get permission to upgrade their infrastructure.

See more: Gething to quit after four Welsh ministers resign

Under the new rules, closed periods for spreading slurry and other organic manures are set to be introduced from 1 August 2024, with five months’ storage capacity a legal requirement.

Mr Gething, who resigned as first minister on Tuesday, said he understood there is a “real challenge” to guarantee water quality, while Gian Marco Currado, Welsh government rural affairs director, suggested enforcement officials would have “case by case discussions” with farmers.

“We will monitor the situation in terms of implementation,” Mr Currado added. 

“We’re very much working with the farming community and we encourage the industry to start the planning process early because we know that there are, legitimate challenges in terms of capacity in that space.”

Meanwhile, in England, the Environment Agency is urging farmers to start their preparations now for winter slurry storage.

If there are any concerns, farmers should contact their local officer or the national hotline on 03708 506 506.