Jurisdiction Welsh Government Annual budget £180 million GBP | Employees 1,900 | |
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Formed 1 April 2013 (2013-04-01) Preceding agencies Countryside Council for Wales
Environment Agency Wales
Forestry Commission Wales Headquarters Tŷ Cambria, Newport Road, Cardiff | ||
Natural Resources Wales (Welsh: Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru) is a Welsh Government sponsored body, which became operational from 1 April 2013, when it took over the management of the natural resources of Wales. 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.
Contents
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. Whilst the three agencies were broadly supportive of the move, the board appointed by Environment minister John Griffiths did not include any representatives from the forestry sector, and 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.
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: