Delayed harvests and silage cuts, coupled with wet weather, could make preparation for the closed period and compliance with water pollution regulations complicated for Welsh farmers, warned NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader.
Welsh farming
All farmers in Wales are now required to comply with the pan-Wales Control of Agricultural Pollution regulations. Those utilising cattle slurry in particular will now be preparing for the closed period. This is a period over winter where farmers are not permitted to spread manufactured fertilisers and organic manures with high nitrogen contents, and farmers must ensure they have adequate slurry storage for at least five months' worth of production.
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Speaking to Farmers Guardian last week, Ms Reader said: "Ground conditions in Wales are deteriorating at the moment, meaning trying to get to closed period with an empty store is going to be difficult for some."
She said one mental health charity in Wales told her they were experiencing increased calls from farmers who are worried how they would cope this winter during the closed period. "There are people waiting for contractors to come and they are in a very long queue. That closed period from October 15 is getting ever closer."
Planning and investment
She said planning and funding to invest in infrastructure had been an issue and warned there were activist groups looking to ‘catch farmers out' and ‘make examples of them'. "People who have waited to get planning permission and have done everything they can to get themselves ready for this do not deserve to be persecuted by groups like that."
Rural affairs spokesperson for Plaid Cymru, Llyr Gruffydd, said: "We warned [Welsh Government] that a farming by calendar approach was not practical and now we are seeing why."
Funding and schemes
Gareth Parry, head of policy at the Farmers' Union of Wales, said: "While the £20 million in support for on-farm infrastructure is welcomed, notwithstanding potential infrastructure costs of about £450m, the over-subscription of the recently closed Nutrient Management Investment Scheme grant window demonstrates the severity of the challenge farmers have and continue to face in attempting to comply with these now-enforceable regulations."
Welsh Conservatives
James Evans MS, Welsh Conservative shadow rural affairs minister, said:
"Farming in Wales has faced uncertainty in recent years under this Labour Government and this latest statement will do little to alleviate concerns on the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations (CAPR).
"Labour should be standing by farmers, who have done everything possible to abide by the regulations and have sought advice from NRW, not persecute them for unavoidable lapses.
"The Labour Government must look again at this and reassure concerned farmers that they will not be penalised for unexpected events."
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Welsh Government
Welsh Government confirmed £52m had been offered to support on- farm infrastructure investments since the regulations were introduced.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "Closed periods are in place to prevent increased losses of both nitrogen and phosphorus to water, which occur when manures, including slurry, are applied during these times.
"The regulations help to support agricultural contracting businesses that were previously disadvantaged by those willing to provide services associated with the causes of pollution, such as the application of nutrients to land at inappropriate times and during unsuitable soil and weather conditions.
Contractors
"We engaged with agricultural contractors during the development of the regulations and any issues will be considered further as part of the four-year review of the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations.
"Farmers affected can seek advice from Natural Resources Wales on actions they can take to reduce risk of pollution."
