I have been a staunch advocate of more stringent regulations when it comes to pollution so you might think I would welcome the introduction of an all-Wales Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are designated areas where waters are at risk of nitrate pollution. Earlier this month, Members of the Senedd voted on a motion calling for the regulations to be annulled.

I have huge concerns with the Welsh Government’s new regulations. I firmly agree with the concerns from the farming industry.

The decision has very serious repercussions.

Farmers would have nothing like the amount of storage for manure required by the new regulations and could not make an economic case for the significant investment that would be required to meet the new standards - an investment that would provide zero return.

While farmers accept that one pollution incident is one too many and that a regulatory backstop is needed, the introduction of a nitrate vulnerable zone across the whole of Wales without proper consultation with farming businesses places more pressure on the industry, who are dealing with loss of finance due to Covid-19 and uncertainty over Welsh post-Brexit plans.

Regulation is needed, but it should be evidence-based, proportionate and targeted to the areas where improvements have been shown to be needed.

I clearly couldn’t support the regulations which the Welsh Government were proposing and therefore voted to annul the regulations.

The farming unions and industry lobbied hard, but despite the efforts of many, no Labour ministers or backbenchers or the one Liberal Democrat, Kirsty Williams, could be persuaded to support the annulment of the regulations in the vote.

The implications are significant because the Welsh Government approach will now put livelihoods and jobs at risk. The Welsh Government is advancing the most damaging course of action for farming, the supply chain and our rural economy.

I am pleased that a legal challenge against the Welsh Government’s decision is now being explored.