New NRW area statements raise concerns for rural businesses

In response to the National Resources Policy which was published by Welsh Government in 2017, NRW have published 7 Area Statements to ‘find solutions to a number of challenges facing the natural environment’. The Area Statements cover different parts of Wales - six terrestrial, one marine. Each of the Area Statements identifies what NRW believes are the key challenges facing a particular area.

FUW have consistently argued against the creation of Area Statements - seeing them as being developed without sufficient farmer engagement and with little consideration of the potential restrictions that they might place on rural businesses. Given the Gross Value Added (GVA) figure for Welsh agriculture is around £385 million, FUW argue that Area Statements go little way to reflecting the wider value of agriculture to Wales, including in terms of key Future Well-being goals.

For example:

• Around 58,000 people are employed in full, part-time and seasonal work on farms
• Agriculture is the most significant single contributor to an estimated £1.9 billion in wildlife-based activity
• 80% of the land in Wales is managed by farmers.

In response, the FUW is urging members to complete the short questionnaire about the Area Statement most relevant to their area:

South East Wales “Gwent” Area Statement -
Introduction to South East Wales Area Statement
Themes -

1. Linking Our Landscapes
2. Climate Ready Gwent
3. Healthy Active Connected
4. Ways of Working

South West Wales Area Statement -
Introduction to South West Area Statement
Themes -

1. Reducing health inequalities
2. Ensuring sustainable land management
3. Reversing the decline of, and enhancing, biodiversity
4. Cross-cutting theme: Mitigating and adapting to a changing climate

South Central Wales Area Statement -
Introduction to South Central Area Statement
Themes -

1. Building resilient ecosystems
2. Connecting people with nature
3. Working with water
4. Improving our health
5. Improving our air quality

Mid Wales Area Statement -
Introduction to Mid Wales Area Statement
Themes -

1. Improving biodiversity - responding to the nature emergency
2. Sustainable land, water and air
3. Reconnecting people and places - improving health, well-being and the economy
4. Forest resources - managing timber resources effectively
5. Climate emergency – adaptation and mitigation across four themes

North East Wales Area Statement
Introduction to North East Wales Area Statement
Themes -

1. Climate emergency: resilience and adaptation
2. Develop and improve urban/rural green infrastructure
3. Increasing woodland cover for social, environmental and economic benefits
4. Promoting the resilience of ecosystems in maintaining and enhancing biodiversity
5. Protecting water and soil through farming and sustainable land management

North West Wales Area Statement
Introduction to North West Wales Area Statement
Themes -

1. Ways of working
2. Climate and nature emergency
3. Reconnecting people with nature
4. Encouraging a sustainable economy
5. Supporting sustainable land management
6. Opportunity for resilient ecosystems