Round Table Held on River Wye Pollution

A round table was held on pollution in the River Wye this week, seeking to bring together various stakeholders to discuss ways forward to save the River.

The round table was organised and chaired by Jane Dodds, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales. The meeting brought together actors from across different political parties and organisations with a stake in the future of the river, including the FUW, NFU Cymru, Dŵr Cymru, Friends of the Upper Wye, Conservative MSs James Evans and Russell George and members of the public.

The meeting ended with all actors agreeing on the fact that the complexity of the issues means no single actor is likely to be responsible for the situation faced by the Wye and, as a result, a multiagency, cross-organisation and cross-party response will be needed to save the River before it is declared dead.

Those involved agreed to continue to coordinate efforts going forward, ensuring relevant actors are communicating with each other.

Commenting Jane Dodds said:

“The Wye is a national treasure and living in Hay-on-Wye I am reminded of our duty to protect it every single day.

“It has been clear for some time now that the causes behind pollution in the Wye are extremely complex and not easily attributed to any single actor. What has been really useful about our meeting was the ability to get so many of the stakeholders in one place talking to each other.

“I felt there was a real recognition on all sides of the need for us to work together going forward and for stakeholders to keep the community informed of the progress that is being made.

“I will personally be using every lever available to me as Senedd Member to continue to pressure the Welsh Labour Government to properly fund Natural Resources Wales and to give the guidance and assistance needed to save our River.”