, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
In relation to the last question, around meeting with you to discuss NRW, that actually falls within the portfolio of the Minister for Climate Change—she has responsibility for NRW. So, I would suggest you write to her to ask in relation to that specific part…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I will certainly agree with both of your statements. I would never say that all pollution is caused by agricultural practices. There are many sources of pollution, and I would say the majority of farmers absolutely care for the environment. However, we are…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I absolutely agree with the Member, and we do have concerns around the River Wye at the moment. You ask whether we'll see an improvement in our rivers. What I want to see is an improvement on the scale that we've seen with our bathing waters, for instance…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Pollution of any kind impacts us all and we must tackle it for the benefit of our environment and communities. On 27 January this year, I introduced the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021, and initial measures came…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
This is something I've obviously discussed many times with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary of State and with the UK Government as a whole, certainly as we approached the EU transition period. Sometimes the UK Government's…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
We've certainly increased the number of marine enforcement officers that we as a Government have, and, in north Wales, it has increased also over the last couple of years. The number of onshore inspections has increased significantly. Just in this year alone…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. The Welsh Government monitors and, where necessary, enforces compliance with fisheries regulations through a range of assurance and inspection activities. These include patrols, surveillance and inspections onshore and at sea, and we also take…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. I think that is the most important of your three questions, and it's something that I've always taken a very close and particular interest in since I've been in this portfolio. Because whilst the agricultural sector and farming communities are some…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I quite agree; sheep scab is a very complex and difficult disease. I don't think it's just down to the Welsh Government; I think it is down to the industry together. Certainly, we have been working together to do that. Unfortunately, because of decisions I…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
You make some very pertinent points around the price of wool. I'm trying to think—I think it was the end of the last term of Government where we saw the wool prices really drop and I had meetings with the British wool authority to try and see what we could do…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
It's a formula that is done with the Welsh Government and local authorities, and until local authorities request—. And I've been local government Minister and I was never met with a request to have a look at the formula, because they know, if you've…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Well, there could be a short answer, and the short answer is 'no', but I will give you the benefit of the doubt and try and engage in a much more positive way with you. You are cherry-picking. So, you referred to local authorities, for instance. You know how…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Well, Darren Millar knows that that is absolutely not true. I'm a Member from north-east Wales and I would never allow that to happen. The fact that we have a Minister for north Wales and we have had for a significant number of years, with a Cabinet…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
So, you will be aware that the Deputy Minister for Climate Change has brought forward a road review. That has not yet reported, but, obviously, once that reports, we can see what schemes will continue to proceed and we can look at the funding issues then.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. We obviously recognise the very clear benefits of procuring local produce in terms of issues, and that includes food miles, which, obviously, would play into the significant part of your question. I also think if you use local produce, it helps…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
The Welsh Government is progressing a foundational economy policy, of which food is an integral part. Cabinet colleagues and I regularly discuss linkages between our portfolios and the wider procurement of local produce. Local authorities and schools are…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. I haven't had any discussions, certainly with this part of the portfolio; I would imagine the Minister for Climate Change, that would now fall within her remit. But I think it is really important that we work with the groups, such as you suggest…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you, and I can reassure Joyce Watson that dredge fishing for scallops is highly regulated in Welsh waters, and that includes through spatial restrictions as well. We closely monitor the activity. We take enforcement action wherever necessary, and this…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Well done on being appointed the Atlantic grey seal champion. You should have a little competition with your colleague Darren Millar how many times you can say what you're champion for in the Chamber. [Laughter.] I think it's been very lovely to see how many…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I have regular discussions with the Minister for Climate Change, and we are working across portfolios to develop the joint fisheries statement to set out policies for sustainable fisheries management to deliver the fisheries objectives. This will include our…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you. I think, whilst I've been on my feet, the Minister for Social Justice has issued a written statement on hate crime. But we've been very clear that the current hate crime regime that we have isn't fit for purpose. It fails to deal with misogyny, and…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you. I think you make a very important point about the role that canals play, certainly in relation to biodiversity, and you will be aware it's COP15 this week, which really highlights biodiversity. We do make a range of statements, and I'm sure the…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you. We are very concerned, as a Government, at the reduction of banking services right across Wales. We've seen an ever increasing number of bank closures across the country. So, we do continue to use our influence, both with the UK Government and with…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you. And as you say, the written statement was issued yesterday, giving us an update on coal tip safety by the Minister for Climate Change. There's a huge amount of work that's gone into this piece of work—partnership working between the Coal Authority…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you. Yes, I was very, very pleased to see that my constituency of Wrexham had been shortlisted for UK City of Culture; I think the announcement will be made in May of next year. And certainly, as a Welsh Government, we will be doing all we can to look…
