Explanatory Memorandum to The Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2019
This Explanatory Memorandum is laid before the National Assembly for Wales in conjunction with the above subordinate legislation and in accordance with Standing Order 27.1.
Minister’s Declaration
In my view, this Explanatory Memorandum gives a fair and reasonable view of the expected impact of The Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2019.
Lesley Griffiths
Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs
12 April 2019
These Regulations amend the Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Wales) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2506 (W.245)) (“the 2013 Regulations”) relating to monitoring of nitrate pollution and designation of nitrate vulnerable zones and ensure they will continue to be operable in Wales after the UK leaves the EU. The purpose of the instrument is to preserve and protect existing policy, it will not introduce any new policy.
These Regulations are made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 and as the instrument makes minor and technical changes the negative procedure is considered appropriate.
The Welsh Ministers are designated([1]) for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972([2]) in relation to measures relating to water resources and make these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by that section.
The current designation process is reliant on section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 which will be repealed once the UK leaves the EU.
These Regulations amend the 2013 Regulations. The purpose of these regulations is to prevent nitrates from agricultural sources polluting ground and surface waters and promoting the use of good farming practices.
This instrument makes several minor and technical amendments to deficiencies in the existing legislation described above. It updates the process by which the Welsh Ministers may designate areas as nitrate vulnerable zones. It also introduces a new definition for “new holdings” in light of the new designation process along with providing transitional arrangements for new holdings and further consequential provision including introducing reporting requirements in relation to new holdings.
The instrument will ensure that the EU derived law in this area continues to operate effectively in Wales following exiting the EU. By making the proposed statutory instrument, the existing policy regime will be maintained, thereby providing businesses, environmental NGOs and the public with maximum certainty as the UK leaves the EU.
No public consultation was undertaken. The purpose of the instrument is solely to enable the current legislative and policy framework to remain operable by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
6. Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA)
An RIA has not been conducted as the amendments are minor technical changes that are necessary as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. A public consultation was not required because no policy changes are being made via this statutory instrument.
The statutory instrument has no impact on the statutory duties provided in sections 77 -79 GOWA 2006. In addition the statutory instrument has no impact on the statutory partners provided in sections 72-75 GOWA 2006.
As this instrument relates to maintaining existing legislation after EU Exit there is no, or no significant, impact on business, charities or voluntary bodies. There is no, or no significant, impact on the public sector.