By Debbie James

EVERY farm along the Cleddau rivers in Pembrokeshire faces tough new pollution controls.

The Welsh government has set out plans to adopt a targeted approach to increasing the land area designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) but is also considering a “whole territory” approach, a policy already in place in Northern Ireland.

If it opts for the former, a significant area of land around the Milford Haven Inner Waterbody as well as Deepford Brook near Clarbeston would be designated.

In neighbouring Carmarthenshire, farms at Llyn Pencarreg and Llanmiloe would also be designated.

The government launched a consultation on its proposals last week but whatever the outcome, Wales’s farming minister, Lesley Griffiths, insisted the new regulations must come into force next year.

Wales is bound by EU regulation to reduce the agricultural pollution of streams and rivers but the minister is adamant that nitrate pollution will be tackled, whatever the outcome of Brexit negotiations.

“Wales prides itself on producing high quality produce in a country with a reputation of a healthy environment,” she said.

“Much of Wales’s trade in agricultural produce is based upon this fundamental assumption and there is great risk to the industry if this reputation is damaged.’’

The consultation document suggests that a targeted approach, the system already in place in Wales, would aim to reduce pollution where it occurs. The document maintains that this option encapsulates the ‘polluter pays principle’.

“It also ensures that burdens are not imposed on those whose land does not drain to nitrate-polluted waters and therefore assures that any costs to the industry are directly associated with the implementation of the regulations,’’ it adds.

In Pembrokeshire, NFU Cymru has called a meeting of farmers whose land adjoins the Cleddau rivers.

Pembrokeshire County Chairman, Walter Simon, said the union was “very much opposed’’ to the proposed designations because of the increased costs and regulatory burden on farm businesses and the wider rural economy.

“The proposal to designate as NVZ the Milford Haven Inner Waterbody will bring all farmers within the catchment of the Cleddau rivers into the Regulations. This will affect a significant number of farmers in the county and an estimated 25% of the Welsh dairy herd and 50% of potato production in Wales,’’ said Mr Simon.

The meeting on Thursday, October 13, will be held at The Pavilion, Pembrokeshire Showground, Withybush, Haverfordwest, at 7:30pm.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales said the targeted option would mean significant changes to NVZ designation in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Anglesey but it also remained “resolutely against’’ the whole Wales approach.

“There is a distinct lack of evidence for a whole territory approach and the difficulties and costs associated with regulatory compliance for farms whose land does not drain into nitrate polluted waters, makes this option both unwarranted and unreasonably excessive,” said Dr Hazel Wright, the union’s Senior Policy Officer.