Those were the words from Huw Irranca-Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs ahead of hosting the Welsh Government’s fifth river summit.
The summits were created to bring people together to focus on river water quality and restoring the health of Welsh rivers.
The Welsh Government’s fifth summit, which focuses on rural land use, follows a recent announcement from the UK Government to strengthen regulation of water companies to ensure we can continue to deliver for the environment. The Cabinet Secretary welcomed the legislation, and said that now Wales can look to ‘engage and work together’ to ensure the water quality across England and Wales including on cross-border rivers, is of the highest standard.
Speaking ahead of the summit which is being held for the second time at the Royal Welsh Show, the Cabinet secretary said:
Our rivers are more than just waterways; they are vital lifelines, sustaining our ecosystems, our communities, and our economies. This summit is a significant milestone in our ongoing journey to safeguard these precious resources.
Today, in the context of the Royal Welsh Show, we’re shining a spotlight on the agricultural sector. We recognise the challenges it faces, but also the immense potential it holds for positive change and to recognise that tackling water quality issues needs a joined-up approach across all areas.
Public awareness regarding the state of our rivers has never been higher, with communities across Wales expressing a strong desire to see tangible improvements in their local environments.
This heightened awareness underscores the importance of our efforts and the urgency with which we must act. The public's demand for clean and healthy rivers is a testament to the value they place on these natural resources, reinforcing the need for proactive, sustained and collaborative action.
Our goals for today are clear and crucial: First and foremost, we need to foster a proactive mindset towards river stewardship.
We must move beyond simply reacting to issues as they arise and embrace initiatives that prevent problems before they start. By anticipating and addressing challenges early, we can ensure our rivers remain vibrant and healthy for generations to come.
Secondly, as the First Minister highlighted, more than 90% of Wales’ land is attributed to rural activities.
This puts the agricultural sector in a powerful position to improve the quality of our river environment.
Farmers, landowners, and agricultural businesses are at the forefront of this effort. It’s essential that we recognise this crucial role and encourage and support them to take ownership of their impact on our waterways.
Through sustainable practices and innovative solutions, the agricultural sector can lead the way in protecting and enhancing our river environments.
Lastly, we’re here to secure concrete commitments on how we’ll advance this work over the next two years.
We need to leave this summit with a clear vision and a shared sense of responsibility.
By working together and holding ourselves accountable, we can celebrate real progress when we gather again in the Autumn.
So, let’s seize this opportunity to make a real difference.
By embracing a proactive approach, encouraging the rural sector to take a more proactive lead, and securing commitments for future action, we can create a legacy of thriving rivers and resilient ecosystems. Together, we can build a sustainable future for Wales, where our rivers continue to nourish and inspire us all.