The Welsh and UK Government have today announced a new £1 million joint research initiative to tackle water quality issues in the River Wye.
The Welsh Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, and UK Government’s Water Minister, Emma Hardy, made the announcement during a roundtable meeting in Monmouth with key stakeholders from both sides of the border.
The comprehensive cross-border research programme will:
- Investigate the sources of the pollution and pressures affecting the river
- Study the impacts of changing farming practices and land management
- Develop and test new ways to improve water quality
- Examine what’s driving wildlife decline and water flow – the movement and quantity of water which is crucial for habitats and species
The programme will work closely with established organisations including the Wye Catchment Partnership, the Nutrient Management Board, and farming organisations like Herefordshire Rural Hub and Farm Cymru.
Local farmers, environmental groups, and citizen scientists will play a crucial role in gathering evidence and shaping the research priorities.
Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst, Cabinet Member Environment and Chairperson Wye Catchment Nutrient Management Board, added: “I was very honoured to be able to welcome and introduce Emma Hardy, Government Minister for Water and Flooding, and Huw Irranca-Davies Deputy First Minister of Wales today.
“The joint DEFRA and Welsh Government announcement of £1million investment towards addressing pollution in the Wye catchment is extremely welcome. This will provide a tremendous boost to the cross-border work already underway by local agencies to improve water quality and restore nature in the Wye.
“We all recognise that long-term sustainable improvements are needed to tackle pollution in our rivers, and we will work closely with all stakeholders to turn evidence into action, and build on what we know, to achieve this for our much-loved River Wye.”
The full press release: UK and Welsh Government unite in £1m fund to transform River Wye - GOV.UK