RIVERS across Wales are part of a new industry-led initiative to tackle agricultural pollution in Wales.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is supporting Farming Connect to provide advice and guidance to farmers to help improve water quality in Welsh rivers.

It has been commissioned by the Wales Land Management Forum (WLMF), which involves representatives from NFU Cymru, FUW, Country Land and Business Association, Hybu Cig Cymru, AHDB-Dairy, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Carmarthenshire Fisherman’s Federation, NRW and Welsh Government.

While general advice on reducing pollution risks will be available to all farmers across Wales, those with land around 28 priority catchments identified by the WLMF will be encouraged to take advantage of a programme of support through Farming Connect.

Zoe Henderson, NRW board member and chair of the Wales Land Management Forum said: “Agricultural pollution is severely affecting the natural environment in Wales, especially our rivers and groundwaters. NRW staff deal with between 115 and 165 substantiated agricultural pollution incidents to water every year.

“We need urgent action to ensure that our rivers and streams continue to provide us clean water for drinking, business use, recreation and for healthy fish and other wildlife populations.

“I am excited about this industry-led approach. It is very much the Welsh farming community stepping up to work towards eliminating agricultural pollution. NRW and others are keen to support them every step of the way.”

The aim is to help farmers manage manure, slurry, crop protection products and soils to ensure economic benefits while preventing pollution and the damage it does to the environment.

Advice is available to individuals or groups for slurry and farmyard manure management and storage plans, improving farm infrastructure including clean-dirty water separation, slurry, manure and silage storage and many more technical aspects.

For more information contact the Farming Connect service centre on 08456 000 813 or visit www.gov.wales/farmingconnect to find contact details for your local development officer.