With the announcement that the Welsh and UK Governments have united to create a £1 million fund to transform the River Wye, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change Janet Finch-Saunders MS highlighted that this demonstrates that the two governments see the need for the 33 rivers of Wales to be treated on a case by case basis, yet no money is allocated to 32.
Commenting on the announcement of £1 million to transform the River Wye, Janet said:
“Wales has 33 rivers, along with many lakes and smaller watercourses, yet the Welsh and UK Governments are only uniting to co-operate on improving 1. What about the other rivers in Wales?
“The decision by two national governments to target just one river indicates that each one should be treated on a case by case basis. I would agree with that, and therefore highlight again how wrong it is that the Welsh Government is subjecting all farms in Wales to the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021.
“That there is an obsession by both governments at either end of the M4 with targeting farmers is apparent when you look at the main aims of this new cross-border research programme. They specifically refer to “farming practices” but make no direct mention of pollution caused by water companies.
“Where there is evidence of illegal agricultural pollution, that should be stopped. Where there is evidence of water companies polluting rivers, that should be stopped. We need more action, not more talking shops.
“The £1 million would be better spent on upgrading water treatment plants beside watercourses in Wales. However, when considering that angling and associated river tourism brings in visitors and much needed employment and revenue to the Welsh rural economy, estimated to be worth £150 million each year, £1 million, which equates to 0.6%, is actually a very, very small drop”.
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
