27 January 2021
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Welsh Government offers support for farmers in bid to tackle river pollution
REGULATIONS to tackle agricultural pollution in Wales will provide include further funding to help farmers implement and understand relevant measures, an announcement by Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths has revealed.
The new Regulations will ensure all farmers understand what actions they need to take to join those who are already protecting Wales’ environment.
Welsh Government has dedicated £1.5 million to help farmers improve water quality and £11.5m of capital funding will be used to directly support farm businesses to improve nutrient management infrastructure. This follows the Sustainable Production Grant scheme which supported over 500 farms with £22m of farm infrastructure investments up to September 2020.
Lesley Griffiths, said: “Agricultural pollution has affected water bodies across Wales for far too long and I am determined to act to protect the Welsh countryside, while supporting our farmers that want to do the right thing.
Wales has a rich potato heritage and last year Business Wales reported that more land was need for potato production to meet demand.
In May, Business Wales reported that in Pembrokeshire 32 farmer growers were planting more than 1,100ha of 31 different varieties for Puffin Produce destined to supply supermarkets all over Wales for the coming year. Sold as supermarket own label potatoes and the flagship ‘Blas y Tir’ brand, a recent multi million expansion plan had developed one of the most efficient potato sorting and packing lines in Europe which had helped to cater for the 20% increase in demand following the Covid-19 lockdown.
First out of the ground in June was the Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes which gained European Protected Geographical Status (PGI) in 2013, followed by a range of potato varieties throughout the year from classic Maris Piper and King Edward to the deep red Rudolph through to new varieties such as Belana, selling as salad potatoes, bakers, all-rounder potatoes and baby potatoes.
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