Jane Dodds fears that the River Wye is facing “ecological collapse” because of water pollution.

The Mid and West Wales MS said at the Senedd that she had been privileged that morning to meet schoolchildren and Surfers Against Sewage, who are protesting against the extent of water pollution in Welsh seas and rivers.

She said: “12 months ago, I was proud to secure £5 million for Natural Resources Wales in our budget agreement, but that wasn't enough.

“The River Wye, where I live, is now facing ecological collapse. A promised £35 million action plan from the previous Conservative UK Government never materialised.

“The new UK Labour Government has so far failed to replace it with anything comparable.

“Meanwhile, pollution investigations have been scaled back, and communities are left fearing that regulators lack the resources to act decisively.

“This is a cross-border river and pollution does not stop at Offa's Dyke. Without strong co-ordination between Natural Resources Wales and the Environment Agency, progress on one side risks being undone on the other.”

Ms Dodds asked the Trefnydd, Jane Hutt, what the Welsh Government is doing to address river and beach pollution.

Ms Hutt said the Government recognises the urgent pressures on the River Wye.

She told Ms Dodds: “It’s great to see schoolchildren engaging and raising these issues with you today.

“Clearly, close co-operation with the UK Government is essential for this cross-border river, and we're jointly committed to improving its water quality.

“The Deputy First Minister met with the Minister, Emma Hardy, from the UK Government in December to talk about the River Wye.

“It runs along the Welsh and English borders. Both Governments agreed to work more closely together to find better ways to collaborate with farmers and other stakeholders in Wales and England.

“What's important is that the control of agricultural pollution regulations have been key in terms of addressing this.

“Enforcement is increasing, with over £1.58 million this year supporting NRW to target high-risk activities.

“But it's also important to look at Dŵr Cymru as well. They've committed to £133 million to upgrade in river catchments like the Wye.”

Ms Hutt said the Government is backing the locally-led Wye Catchment Nutrient Management Board with over £341,000 of funding to date to identify pollution sources and deliver targeted catchment-specific solutions.

She said: “That board is key to unlocking stalled housing development in the Wye special area of conservation river catchment.”

After the session, Ms Dodds said: “The River Wye is being allowed to die through political failure on both sides of the border. This will affect local residents and tourists in an area where people swim, canoe and spend time to reconnect with nature.

“This is not an isolated case - rivers across Wales and England are being sacrificed because regulators are weak and communities are ignored.

“I have written to the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales demanding properly funded River Basin Management Plans and urgent cooperation with the Environment Agency to stop the destruction of the Wye.”