, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
—aren't we? If I say 'imminent'—[Laughter.]
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I think we need to be very, very clear: the world's changed. It's very hard to give certainty in very, very uncertain times. The only way we could have had that certainty that I think farmers, particularly, are talking about is to have stayed in the European…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
It would have to be, I think. We've said all along there mustn't be a cliff edge. It's too early to say what the design of the scheme is going to be, because we've still got—where are we now? June. So, we've still got quite a few months' work ahead of going…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
We will certainly have to take a different approach if we find it doesn't work. We've got so much common land in Wales, so it's really important that we work with that group. One of the working groups for SFS is, indeed, a common land working group. I think…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Yes, absolutely, and I think what they have—. If I've got one big take-out from that group, it's the fact that, if we want as many farmers to be part of the scheme, which we do, we need to make sure that the payment scales are correct, because, clearly, they…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Well, we're currently still in the co-design phase of the sustainable farming scheme. We have, obviously, done a significant amount of evidence gathering and analysis. We've been working with a variety of working groups. We've had some modelling undertaken by…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. Lesley Griffths, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd. On my right is Richard Irvine, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, and on my left is Gian Marco Currado, director for rural affairs.
, Plenary
Report Stage for the Agriculture (Wales) Bill
Diolch, and thank you to the two Members for their contributions. I certainly think, in the discussion I had with Sam Kurtz, he absolutely recognised that there were unintended consequences, and I know you've raised previously with me around the issue of…
, Plenary
Report Stage for the Agriculture (Wales) Bill
Diolch, Llywydd. The amendment tabled in my name seeks to replace the amendment to section 9(3) introduced at Stage 3. On 24 May, I tabled a motion to remove this Bill to Report Stage, where I outlined the constraints and the challenging impacts resulting…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
The consultation actually closes today. Obviously, we will then consider the responses.
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
I'll consider the request.
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you. Well, as you say, many people opened their homes to people fleeing the war in Ukraine, and the Minister for Social Justice continues to work very closely with people who did settle in Wales. And, as you say, some of them will have been here over a…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you. The Minister for Climate Change has just heard your request. I think it would be better if you wrote to her directly, and then she'll be able to respond.
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
As far as I'm aware, the Welsh Government is still waiting for the business case from the local authority. But I know that the Minister for Climate Change's officials are working with the council at the current time.
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you. The Welsh Government's digital strategy does recognise how collaboration in digital innovation can help improve services and increase efficiency. And in certain circumstances, open-source software can be suitable, it can be relevant and it can be…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
You're quite right, those changes to the state pension age—many women knew absolutely nothing about them and it's impacted millions of women not just in Wales, but obviously right across the UK. And it's not just the financial impact, it's also the impact on…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you. Well, the report to which you refer is an independent report, which obviously the Deputy Minister for Climate Change will consider. Obviously, it's just part of the wider policy that the Deputy Minister is currently considering around all aspects…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. There are four changes to this week's business. Firstly, the Minister for Climate Change will make a statement on the Warm Homes programme. Secondly, the statement on sustainable drainage systems has been postponed…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Well, obviously, when any policy is discussed around the Cabinet table, every Minister has a view and brings forward significant points on policy to test it. The economic impact will have been done. I don't know if it will have specifically looked at rural…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I have regular discussions with all of my Cabinet colleagues on a range of topics, including tourism in rural communities. Our strategy, 'Welcome to Wales: Priorities for the Visitor Economy 2020-2025', sets our vision and ambition for the sector across Wales.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Yes, thank you. I absolutely agree with you. Whenever there is any issue or consultation in relation to animal welfare, my postbag certainly, as an MS, always increases; I definitely think people prefer animals to people, and it's always a matter of great…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I've consulted on proposals and published a summary of responses last month. Officials are now developing regulations to deliver on our commitment to require CCTV in all slaughterhouses. I plan to introduce these by spring 2024.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. Yes, the Senedd can expect it. I'm going to say 'autumn this year'. I'll say 'autumn this year', but, you know, it might extend into the winter. But, just to let you know, there's a significant amount of work already going on across Government. And…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
The Welsh Government is committed to supporting the food and drink industry in Wales in respect of environmental and economic sustainability, and to ensure the industry continues to deliver to address the needs of the people of Wales.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. As I said in my original answer to you, what the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was doing was to better regulate and license. It wasn't looking at a complete ban; it was just looking at the regulations. I hope that would have been a significant…
