Brecon and Radnorshire’s MP and MS have claimed that their request for a meeting to discuss the health of the River Wye and the River Usk with the Welsh Government’s Minister for Climate Change Julie James was “turned down”.

MP Fay Jones and James Evans MS wrote to both the UK and the Welsh environment ministers asking for a “round-table meeting” of all the interested Welsh and English parties following a discussion with their colleagues in Herefordshire.

The suggested meeting would have looked to include Natural Resources Wales, Natural England, the Environment Agency, Powys County Council, Herefordshire County Council, Monmouth County Council, the Brecon Beacons National Park, Dwr Cymru and the National Farmers Union.

While the other groups agreed to participate in the meeting, Ms Jones said they were “snubbed” by Ms James who repeated her view that “farmers are to blame for water pollution in the rivers”.

Ms Jones also claimed that she and Mr Evans were criticised by Ms James for opposing the controversial Nitrate Vulnerable Zone rules.

Ms Jones said: “For over 18 months, the health of the rivers in my constituency has been the biggest issue in my inbox.

“Everyone is agreed that the current situation is unacceptable – farmers and businesses are unable to expand, residents are prevented from extending their homes and house builders are being denied planning permission for the new homes we so badly need. All the while, a precious natural ecosystem continues to be put at risk.

“The River Wye runs from Wales to England and back again. So it is imperative we tackle this challenge between the two countries. Sadly, it looks as though we can only rely on Westminster leaders to help us.

“Neither James nor I will give up on this issue. It is too important for our constituents. I am really glad that the UK Government environment minister has agreed to chair a meeting. I hope we will be able to learn from parts of the UK where this issue is being tackled aggressively. Perhaps this kind of genuine environmental leadership will shame the Welsh Government into action.”

Ms James, in a letter to the two mid Wales Conservatives, claimed that agricultural pollution is one of the “main reasons” as to why rivers do not achieve good water quality status.

The letter said: “Since 2001, there have been 3,045 substantiated agricultural-related pollution incidents in Wales, an average of 148 a year.

“We made The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) Wales Regulations 2021 with the specific intention of reducing the number of nutrient pollution incidents and improving water quality. It is disappointing that you previously opposed these regulations and called for their revocation.”

Ms James said that the Welsh Government is “clear that a national approach is better than a targeted geographic one” as waterways are connected and pollution in one area of the UK can travel to another area of the UK.

She said: “The regulations are not just about water quality, they will protect the reputation of those farmers who are already implementing good practice and working to high standards from the negative actions of those who still need to improve.”

Since 2018, the Welsh Government has made £44.5 million available to farmers through the Sustainable Production Grant to help improve nutrient management and reduce farm pollution, as well as support through Farming Connect which helps businesses to identify potential environment risk.

In the letter, Ms James said: “Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and NRW are currently undertaking modelling to apportion sources to pollutant levels. Their work is expected to be completed in the autumn and will help to determine the most effective and sustainable solutions particular to each catchment. Nature-based solutions, such as wetlands, may prove effective in the long-term.”

She added that the Welsh Government has also provided additional funding of nearly £10m this financial year for water quality improvement, and that it is working with NRW and Welsh water companies to develop drainage and wastewater management plans for the next 25 years.

James Evans MS described the meeting rejection as an “appalling dereliction of duty”.

He said: “Yet again, we see that the Labour Party just does not care about rural Wales. We asked for this meeting to get a consensus as to how proceed but instead the Minister fobbed us off – wrongly blaming local farmers once again.

“If she [Julie James] would actually come and see what life is like for us here – and venture out of her cosy Cardiff cocoon – she would see this problem first-hand and the damage her government’s inaction is doing to constituents here.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson, who responded to claims, said they welcome the support from Ms Jones and Mr Evans for tough regulatory action to tackle water pollution.

The spokesperson said: “A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We welcome the support from Fay Jones MP and James Evans MS for tough regulatory action to tackle water pollution.

“Resilient rivers are essential for enhancing biodiversity, enabling more recreational use and securing wider benefits to society and our economy and the control of agricultural pollution regulations introduced in April were specifically designed to reduce nutrient pollution and improve water quality.

“Protecting and enhancing our water environment is a priority for this government and, this year alone, we are investing nearly £10m to improve water quality. In addition, the Welsh Government has made available £16.5m to farmers through our support schemes during 2021.

“We’re continuing to work closely with partners, including the farming sector, to tackle water quality issues in Wales’ nine Special Area of Conservation rivers, including the Wye and Usk, and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales’ work to assess pollutant levels and identify the necessary remedial action is well underway.”