Natural Resources Wales
 | |
| Formation | 1 April 2013 |
|---|---|
| Type | Welsh Government Sponsored Body |
| Purpose | Environmental protection and regulation; maintenance of natural resources |
| Headquarters | Tŷ Cambria, Newport Road, Cardiff |
Region served |
 Wales |
Chairman | Professor Peter Matthews[1] |
Chief Executive | Emyr Roberts[2] |
| Affiliations | Welsh Government |
| Website | Natural Resources Wales |
Natural Resources Wales (Welsh: Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru) is a Welsh Government sponsored body, which became operational from 1 April 2013,[3] when it took over the management of the natural resources of Wales.[4] It was formed from a merger of the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales, and the Forestry Commission Wales, and also assumes some other roles formerly taken by Welsh Government.[4]
Merger debate
As a justification for the merger, the Welsh Government claimed that the new body would produce savings of £158 million over ten years.[5] Whilst the three agencies were broadly supportive of the move,[5] Forestry Commission Wales chairman Jon Owen Jones - the former Welsh Labour MP for Cardiff Central - raised concerns that the forestry industry's voice would not be adequately heard in the new organisation.[6] Owen Jones was subsequently snubbed for NRW board membership by Welsh Labour Environment minister John Griffiths.[7]
Regulatory functions
Natural Resources Wales is responsible for over forty different types of regulatory regime, having inherited these roles from its predecessor organisations. They include:[8]
- consents and assents for sites of special scientific interest
- radioactive substances (both nuclear and non-nuclear)
- licensing of species protected under European law
- marine licensing
- licensing of tree felling
- surface water & groundwater discharges
- water abstraction and impoundment (and drought measures)
- packaging regulations and EU/UK trading schemes
- commercial fisheries of eels, salmon and shellfish
- access restrictions and designation and review of open access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
- major industry (refineries, chemicals, cement, power stations, iron and steel, food and drink etc.)
- waste industry (storage, treatment, disposal)
References
- ↑ "Environment body chairman promises efficient service". BBC News. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ↑ "Chief executive named for merged environmental body". BBC News. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ↑ "Timetable". Welsh Government. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- 1 2 "Single Body". Welsh Government. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- 1 2 "One environment body will save £158m - Welsh government". BBC News. 29 November 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ↑ "Forestry concern as minister names natural resources body". BBC News. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ↑ http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/jon-owen-jones-kept-board-2022729
- ↑ Natural Resources Wales / Regulatory responsibilities