Written question WQ99032

Regulation of landfill sites in Wales is the responsibility of Natural Resources Wales, which monitors compliance with environmental permits and takes action where standards are not met. We expect Natural Resources Wales and operators to take all necessary steps to minimise impacts on nearby communities and to respond appropriately where concerns are raised.

We are working closely with Natural Resources Wales to explore how odour monitoring could be taken forward in practice. As part of this, we have allocated funding to support further work on enhanced odour monitoring at landfill sites in Wales.

This work will assess the feasibility and practical application of automated monitoring, how it could operate on the ground, how the data would inform regulatory decision-making, and the infrastructure and resources required. It will help ensure that any future approach to odour monitoring is both technically robust and proportionate, and that it strengthens the ability of regulators to respond effectively to community concerns.

We will continue to work with Natural Resources Wales and other partners to assess the outcomes of this feasibility work and consider next steps in light of the findings.