Translate the text from English to Welsh.



 
On 27 October 2016, I launched a consultation on the review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Wales) Regulations 2007 (the EIA Regulations). The consultation sought the public’s view on a number of proposals which aim to streamline, strengthen and clarify the regulatory requirements.  

  

The EIA Regulations operate a screening process which evaluates the potential impact of proposed agricultural projects on land which is classed as semi\-natural and/or uncultivated. The Regulations are not put in place to prevent agricultural activity from taking place and are not a barrier to farming. This is supported by data collected since the introduction of the EIA regime in 2002\.  To date, the Welsh Government has considered 924 applications and given permission for the projects to proceed in 93% of cases.  

  

At the same time, the EIA Regulations have the scope to protect farmland habitat sites and historically important land from damaging agricultural activity, as well as preserving Wales’ precious natural resources. The EIA regime gives a structured scientific approach to the assessment of improvement projects and their likely impact on particular sites and the wider environment outside of those areas already afforded statutory protection, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Designated sites occupy less than 20% of Wales. As such, the EIA Regulations play an important role in protecting the biodiversity and historical landscape of Wales.  

  

I welcome the broad support for the EIA regime expressed by stakeholders through the consultation responses and during the pre\-consultation workshops which were held in the spring of 2016\. Respondents to the consultation provided valuable comments on the proposals and the wider application of the EIA Regulations which helped the Welsh Government to finalise the regulatory proposals and consider specific changes to the regime. These changes are not expected to affect how EIA is delivered in agriculture in Wales, rather they intend to provide more clarity and flexibility. The proposed changes are outlined in more detail in the consultation summary and response.  

  

The revised Regulations are expected to come into force on 16 May 2017\. The objectives of the EIA regulations contribute towards the delivery of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and a number of goals specified within the Well\-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, in particular creating a healthier and more resilient Wales.  

  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who took time to respond to this important consultation exercise. All responses have been fully considered and addressed in the Welsh Government’s consultation analysis and response. 







Translation:


 
Ar 27 Hydref 2016, lansiwyd ymgynghoriad gennyf ar yr adolygiad o Reoliadau Asesu’r Effeithiau Amgylcheddol (Amaethyddiaeth) (Cymru) 2007  (Rheoliadau AEA). Roedd yr ymgynghoriad yn holi barn y cyhoedd ar nifer o gynigion sy’n ceisio symleiddio, cryfhau ac egluro’r gofynion rheoleiddiol.     
  
Mae Rheoliadau’r AEA yn gweithredu proses sgrinio sy’n gwerthuso effaith posib prosiectau amaethyddol arfaethedig ar dir sy’n cael ei gyfrif fel tir lled\-naturiol ac/neu heb ei drin.  Nid yw’r Rheoliadau’n cael eu creu i atal gweithgarwch amaethyddol rhag digwydd ac nid ydynt yn rhwystro ffermio.  Caiff hyn ei gefnogi gan data a gasgwlyd ers cyflwyno’r drefn AEA yn 2002\.  Hyd yma, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ystyried 924 o geisiadau ac wedi rhoi caniatád i’r prosiectau fynd yn eu blaenau yn 93% o achosion.    
  
Ar yr un pryd, mae’n bosib i Reoliadau’r AEA ddiogelu cynefinoedd ar ffermydd a thir sy’n bwysig yn hanesyddol rhag tarfu ar weithgarwch amaethyddol, yn ogystal â diogelu adnoddau naturiol gwerthfawr Cymru.  Mae gweithdrefn yr AEA yn defnyddio dull gwyddonol strwythuredig o asesu prosiectau gwelliant a’u heffaith debygol ar safleoedd penodol a’r amgylchedd ehangach, y tu allan i’r ardaloedd hynny sydd eisoes yn cael eu hamddiffyn yn statudol, megis Safleoedd o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig.  Mae’r safleoedd dynodedig yn cyfrif am lai nag 20% o Gymru.  Oherwydd hynny mae Rheoliadau’r AEA yn chwarae rhan bwysig o ddiogelu bioamrywiaeth a thirwedd hanesyddol Cymru.     
  
Rwy’n croesawu y gefnogaeth gyffredinol i drefn yr AEA a fynegwyd gan randdeiliaid drwy’r ymatebion i’r ymgynghoriad ac yn ystod y gweithdai cyn yr ymgynghoriad a gynhaliwyd yn ystod gwanwyn 2016\.  Rhoddodd ymatebwyr i’r ymgynghoriad sylwadau gwerthfawr ar y cynigion a’r defnydd ehangach o Reoliadau’r AEA a fu o gymorth i Lywodraeth Cymru gwblhau’r cynigion rheoleiddiol ac ystyried newidiadau penodol i’r drefn.  Nid oes disgwyl i’r newidiadau hyn gael effaith ar sut y caiff yr AEA ei ddarparu ym maes amaethyddiaeth yng Nghymru, yn hytrach ei fwriad yw rhoi mwy o eglurder a hyblygrwydd.  Mae’r newidiadau arfaethedig wedi eu nodi yn fanylach yn y crynodeb o’r ymgynghoriad a’r ymateb iddo.     
  
Mae disgwyl i’r Rheoliadau diwygiedig ddod i rym ar 16 Mai 2017\.  Mae amcanion rheoliadau yr AEA yn cyfrannu tuag at weithredu Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Cymru) 2016 a nifer o amcanion a nodir yn Neddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015, yn benodol creu Cymru iachach a mwy cydnerth.    
  
Hoffwn fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn i ddiolch i bawb gymerodd yr amser i ymateb i’r ymgynghoriad pwysig hwn.  Mae pob ymateb wedi eu hystyried yn llawn a chyfeiriwyd atynt yn nadansoddiad ac ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru i’r ymgynghoriad