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Wales Farmer May 2013 NEWS


Anatural progression to form new organisation


■ Umbrella body launched


WALES’ new environment and conservation body


has been launched. Natural Resources Wales has


taken on the roles previouslycar- ried out by Environment Agency Wales,Countryside Council for Wales and Forestry Commission Wales. Natural Resources Wales is


one of the first public bodies in the worldthatwill consider social, environmental and eco- nomic benefits in the wayitman- ages natural resources and improves the environment. Minister fornatural resources


and food Alun Davies attended the body’sofficial launch. He said: “The natural environ-


ment reallyiscrucial to our econ- omyhereinWales so it is vital thatitismanaged as effectively and efficientlyaspossible.


“The Welsh Government has


created Natural Resources Wales because we believe one bodywill result in amorestreamlined way of working and will ensuremore


effective delivery and improved value formoney. “The bodyreallydoes have a


crucial role to playand Iwish Natural Resources Wales every


success in its work to deliverbet- ter outcomes forWelsh people, Welsh businesses and our unique Welsh environment.” Mr Davies met Natural


Action on flooding is oneoffirst priorities


AFTER one of the wettest years on record, action is being taken to tack- le the flooding risk to Welsh farm- land. An agreement has been reached


between the Welsh farming unions, landowners and the


former


Environment Agency Wales –now part of newumbrella organisation Natural Resources Wales (NRW) – to work together to tackle the chal- lenges of flooding. The unions will gather informa-


tion from farmers in the areas affect- ed the most by flooding and establish


•Farmers’ Union of Wales: FUW president Emyr Jones said: “The FUW looks forwardto working with Natural Resources Wales to identify and mitigate the impacts of flooding on farmland. The substantial rainfall of the past 12 months has resulted in significant waterlogging and flooding of farmland and this has had asignificant impact on the viability of some farms. “Working with Natural


Resources Wales will enableusto identify the most affected farmland and facilitate the dissemination of advice and guidance to the farming community.Weare hopeful that


GET IN TOUCH:


By Debbie James


the financial impact of this on farm businesses. NRWsaysthis information will


allowittoidentify the best ways to manage flooding in these locations in the future. Farmers will be expected to play


their part too.They will be given advice on the practical steps they can taketoreduce the flooding risk. Graham Hillier,ofNRW said the


impact of last year’sflooding had been devastating and crops had been


this two-way dialogue will help reduce the impact of flood events in the future.”


•Country Land and Business Association: Ben Underwood, director Wales of the Country Land and Business Association said: “CLA welcomes a renewedfocus on flooding and the impact it has on rural land and businesses.Routine maintenance of watercourses is crucial in reducing flood risk and increasingly landowners arereporting unprecedented flooding events.We will work closelywith Natural Resources Wales and other partners


destroyed. Considerable waterlog- ging and flooding had impacted sig- nificantlyonthe viability of some farms. Mr Hillier described the partner-


ship approach to alleviating future flooding as an important one. He said the farming community


could playakey role in the process by actively managing watercourses to complement NRW’sown work on main rivers. The unions hope the newcollabo-


ration will result in practical and manageablesolutions.


to identify problem areas and help seek solutions as soon as possible.”


•NFU Cymru: Ed Bailey,NFU Cymru president said: “NFU Cymru welcomes this newdetermination to work together on aproactive and catchment focused approach which recognises the true value of farmland and farmproperties and buildings. “Weare looking forwardto


working with Natural Resources Wales to identify practical and manageablesolutions to achieving the stated objective of reducing the impact of flooding.”


FARM FLOODING WOES: Has your farm been flooded in the past year? Did it affect your business, home and livelihood? Email your stories and pictures to: rhiannon.llewellin@walesfarmer.co.uk or log on to walesfarmer.co.uk


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NEW RESOURCE: Ceri Nicholas (above), from the Valleys Kids project at the launch of Natural Resources Wales, with chief executive Emyr Roberts, chairman Peter Matthews and minister for natural resources and food Alun Davies.


WOODLAND WONDER: Natural Resources Wales staff (left) with children from Valleys Kids in Treherbert.


Resources Wales chairman Peter Matthews and chief executive Emyr Roberts to discuss views and aspirations on the future work of Natural Resources Wales and the benefits the environment and natural resources can bring to people and communities,for the economyand forwildlife. Peter Matthews,said: “Weface


manychallenges –for our com- munities,our economyand our environment. Ibelieve thatthe natural resources we have in Wales can playtheir part in tack- ling them. “The natural environment is


worth £8bn to the Welsh econo- my and as Natural Resources Wales,wewant to build on this. “Wewill focus on maintaining the important services thatpeo-


ple and businesses rely on, like our flood warning services,main- taining timber supplyand pro- tecting valuablesites.” Emyr Roberts added: “Wewill


also begin to re-shape the work we do with afresh approach and newdirection –tomakethe envi- ronment do morefor the people, economyand wildlife of Wales.” The launch event washeld in


Treherbert, which has benefited from the Woodland and You project. It encourages local peo- ple to use their local woodlands to help them learn newskills, gain confidence and live ahealth- ier lifestyle.The area has also benefited from work to tackle fly- tipping and environmental crime and improvewildlife and conser- vation.


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