As you know, Welsh Government has introduced the Environment Bill. This marks an important milestone for us in NRW.The new Bill gives us the legislative framework within which to deliver Natural Resource Management (NRM) and gives us specific new roles to produce a State of Natural Resources Report every five years, and produce Area Statements outlining issues and opportunities for use and enhancement of natural resources at a local level.

We have been developing our understanding of what NRM might mean in practice, with our three trials in the Rhondda, Dyfi and Tawe catchments. These are providing us with the opportunity to test how NRM and the provisions in the Environment Bill may work in a practical way. We’ve been working with local communities to look in detail at the issues, opportunities and benefits that may exist for natural resources - and how they can be improved for the benefit of people and the environment.

I would welcome the opportunity to share our learning by inviting the Committee to visit the trial areas, as you prepare for scrutiny of the Bill. The Minister for Natural Resources recently visited the Tawe trial and I am sure that seeing this work will help the Committee to better understand the practical difference NRM can make for the environment, people and economy of Wales.

Please contact me if you would like to discuss in more detail, in the meantime Rhys Griffith is happy to work with your clerking team to set about organising the visit.

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Yours sincerely,

Emyr Roberts

Prif Weithredwr, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru

Chief Executive, Natural Resources Wales