Janet Finch-Saunders MS, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, has taken the Labour Government to task on the scapegoating of farmers and house builders for water quality issues.
Questioning the Minister for Climate Change, Janet made clear that taking measures on phosphates, such as the Water Regulations and NRW Guidance, is punishing the community and businesses, rather than working with them.
After calling for cooperation, Janet said:
“I agree with the Welsh Government that we need a Team Wales approach.
“But the Captain, Mr Drakeford, continues to foul and see penalties handed out to farmers and developers across Wales.
“The Labour Government introduced the Water Regulations to combat agricultural pollution. Despite the recent changes, it remains the case that farmers in areas with no recorded incidents of agricultural pollution are being penalised by Labour and Plaid Cymru.
“Since January 2021 NRW guidance on phosphates has been having a detrimental impact on housebuilding in Wales, holding up as many as 10,000 new homes.
“Almost two years later, it is completely unacceptable that mitigation measures are still being considered, and that it is estimated that we will have to wait until Spring 2023 to know the feasibility of short-term measures”.
ENDS
