FUW create online lobbying tool ahead of vote

On March 3, Members of the Senedd (MS) will vote to either support or annul The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 - legislation which will introduce an all-Wales Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) with severe financial and practical implications for every farm in Wales.

We have been clear in our response that such legislation makes a mockery of devolution by failing to address Welsh concerns and needs and opting instead to cut and paste decades old EU legislation.

The legislation will mean the phasing in across Wales of what are effectively EU rules currently in place in intensively farmed areas - designate the whole of Wales as an EU NVZ, an area more than 40 times bigger than the current Welsh NVZ area, and 11 times bigger than what was recommended by NRW.

The blank sheet of devolution and Brexit allows Welsh Government to design a bespoke system which would target problem areas without being disproportionate and costing the farming industry hundreds of millions - including in areas where there are no problems. This was precisely the recommendation of NRW, the FUW and others in a report presented to Welsh Government almost three years ago - but Welsh Government has never responded to these except to acknowledge receipt.

As farmers who the Welsh Government’s own figures estimate will be faced with a total bill of hundreds of millions of pounds if these regulations come in, we must use every opportunity before the 3 March to lobby our elected representatives to do the right thing for our industry, our rural communities and our environment - and anyone who wishes to help our environment by targeting pollution rather than introducing outdated EU regulations should do the same.

The FUW has therefore created an online lobbying tool to allow farmers to contact their MS urging them to vote against the introduction of these regulations and seek a more financially and environmentally sustainable alternative. We have also created a template letter which you can print and post to your MS.

The online lobbying tool can be found at https://www.fuw.org.uk/en/policy/contact-your-mp and I would urge you to use this to highlight the severe impacts the regulations will have on Welsh businesses and the environment.

We are also urging individuals to telephone the offices of Senedd Members to register their concerns and to ask that they vote against the regulations. Contact details for your MS can be found at https://senedd.wales/en/memhome/Pages/memhome.aspxAs with the current white paper proposals for agricultural support, which simply copies a Defra plan, this proposed legislation makes a mockery of devolution, and marks a betrayal of the principles of evidence-based decision making. It is now essential that members of the Senedd and we as farmers stand up for what is best for Wales, its businesses and environment rather than adding to the erosion of devolution that this legislation symbolises.