, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. I laid out my priorities for the food and drink sector in my industry vision. They are to continue supporting a strong, vibrant industry with improving productivity, fair work provision, increasingly adopting industry accreditation and improving…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Yes, absolutely, and I look forward to hearing your ideas at our meeting. I don't know if you're aware, but Seafood Expo Global is currently taking place out in Barcelona, and I know there is very good representation from Ynys Môn businesses there. In Dubai…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. The seafood industry is an important sector in Ynys Môn. We support the industry in a number of ways, including the introduction of fisheries management legislation, supported attendance at international events and facilitated funding applications.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
You will have heard me say in an earlier answer to Samuel Kurtz that sustainable food production is absolutely part of the sustainable farming scheme and the agricultural Bill. I am very aware of all the issues that you've raised and I think it's really…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. I don't disagree with anything you say around the very serious situation in relation to the war in Ukraine, and this evening I'm meeting with my counterparts from the UK Government and Scotland to discuss, particularly, fuel prices, because we know…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Diolch. We are closely monitoring the impacts of the war in Ukraine on all the agricultural sectors, particularly the rate of inflation of input costs. The UK agricultural market monitoring group is meeting regularly to assess the position, and I will…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Yes, I absolutely agree with Jack Sargeant's analysis of the Tories and their view of north Wales. I haven't had the opportunity to read your article, but I certainly will do so. And I go back to what the First Minister was saying yesterday and the many…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
So, as a north Wales representative myself, I hear it too. I don't recognise some of the divides that I'm told that are there. However, perception is everything in politics, and certainly there is that perceived divide. But I think that you can prove many…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I have regular scheduled meetings with the Minister for Economy to discuss a wide range of economic opportunities across a number of key sectors, including those within the north Wales growth deal.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Well, unfortunately, you do raise a significant area of concern. Through our Animal Welfare Network Wales and Companion Animal Welfare Group Wales, officials continue to have discussions with third sector organisations such as PDSA, the Dogs Trust and Cats…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
We acknowledge the issue raised in relation to costs associated with responsible pet ownership for those on low incomes. Officials regularly discuss this issue with our third sector partners, both to monitor the situation and see if more can be done to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
You and I are both old enough, Mike, to remember dog licences. I think there are quite a few people in the Chamber who probably don't remember them. I remember, when I first came into post, asking why we wouldn't have dog licences back. But I have been…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. The Member raises a very important point. You'll be aware of legislation I brought in at the tail end of last year to ensure that people really think about where they buy their puppies and kittens from, or any dog, to make sure that they meet with…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I certainly think the UK Government's plan to tackle puppy smuggling doesn't go far enough. I think it will leave the door open for organised criminals to continue to profit from this vile practice. At the moment, as you infer, there's no requirement for…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
The Welsh Government has been working closely with the UK Government departments on the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. The Bill intends to introduce a series of measures that will discourage the illegal importation of dogs before they reach Welsh ports…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Llywydd, I understand that you've given your permission for questions 3 and 5 to be grouped.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. Well, you mentioned the marine and fisheries future funding replacement, and the proposals for all four countries are currently under development. Officials have embarked on further engagement with our stakeholders to ensure co-production of the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. I quite agree with what you're saying about the Welsh fishing industry, and our concerns about it, and it is so important for our coastal communities. They were two formal meetings I held, actually. Sorry, I didn't answer the question about the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I'm glad you thought the First Minister made some interesting comments. I thought your leader actually made some interesting comments. He actually said that I stated in committee that the agriculture Bill would not be introduced before Christmas. I do hope…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Well, it is a matter of fact that some land in Wales is owned by English landlords. For all Glastir schemes that we have where a payment has been made or committed, of the £251.1 million spent, £4.4 million was made to addresses outside of Wales. So, I don't…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I did recently meet with stakeholders from both fisheries and aquaculture—I think it was probably the beginning of this year—because I wanted to engage with them about future stakeholder engagement. I think it's really important that we get the architecture…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. For me, one of the biggest initiatives is Project HELIX. I don't know if the Member is aware of Project HELIX but, for me, that has been the scheme that has really moved things on in a way that I think is very, very positive for the sector. It…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
You named three immediate challenges that our food and drink sector have had to face, and are continuing to face. Obviously, we're still dealing with the fallout of leaving the European Union, the COVID pandemic is not over, and, obviously, the Ukraine war is…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
The Welsh Government invests heavily in food processors by providing grant support through the food business investment and rural business investment schemes. We have also provided technical support through Project Helix, and soft support such as engagement…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I certainly don't just intend to follow what the UK Government are doing or have done. I think you've made a really important point—that it's about actions. I think if you look at the plan that we've brought forward for this term of Government, you will see…
