, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
No, I don't think it should. I think it's very clear in the Bill. The commission can provide advice, it can inform, and it can assist, and there's already a specific provision in the section that refers to the food commission to provide oversight and…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
Well, in an ideal world, maybe, but we're not in an ideal world, are we? So, I've just said that I think the cost is prohibitive at the moment, because I certainly don't have any money in my budget to set up a commission. Again, the costs that are in the…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
You know yourself, Alun, when you're doing anything like a commission, or even an advisory group, you need to make sure you get the right members on. Three months is very quick.
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
I suppose the main thing—. Well, there are two issues: one is the timetable. So, Peter Fox is proposing it's done within three months. That's very quick. I think the future generations commissioner, it took two and a half years to set it up. So, I think…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
Yes. I think, as a Government, we are committed to working with a variety of partners, and we see consultation as a very important way of making policy, and, then, taking it forward. The food commission: we haven't really discussed the food commission that's…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
I agree, and that's what I said in the opening answer. It's a very sweeping comment in the explanatory memorandum about 'This is the way to deal with this issue, and it's either do nothing or do this' sort of thing. There's no substantive evidence, really…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
So, it's not very clear to us why the Bill has got those split policy issues between primary and secondary goals. I think it's already a complex enough area, and I just think that this would add another level of complexity, and I really question why the…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
When you asked me before about legislative competence, obviously, that question on human rights, as a Government, if we were bringing a piece of legislation through, that would be part of the analysis that we would look at to see, to ensure that it was within…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
Sorry—can you hear me? Yes. Again, that really wouldn't be for me to say. We certainly haven't had anything flagged up with me, but that, again, would be a matter for others.
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
So, if I could—. I mentioned in my earlier answer the public services bodies, for instance. So, because of the future generations Act, we've got the public services bodies already in place here in Wales. I think there are other issues. Obviously, the 'A…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
In relation to the well-being of future generations Act, which obviously is a piece of legislation that we have in place now, I think serious consideration really needs to be given to how the obligations that have been posed by the Bill on public bodies—the…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
I use that example not just when I'm talking about food, as we are today, but when I talk about delivery of government. That strategy and that action plan was way above—and I'm sure that Alun would agree—the ambition that he thought it would be. And I thought…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
But that is a really, really good example.
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
No, I don't, because what I'm not saying is that the community food strategy is the same as Peter Fox's Bill; what I'm saying is that we've already got lots of legislation, lots of policies, lots of strategies in place, as well as we are bringing forward the…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
I don't think that's 'potentially'. [Laughter.]
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
The community food strategy was a manifesto commitment of my party, on which I stood, and, obviously, is something that we will be bringing forward in this five-year term of Government. I think it's fair to say that the community food strategy was brought…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
Again, that would be a question for Peter. I'm sure Peter has considered that very carefully. I don't consider UKIMA is engaged by provisions in the Bill, as it doesn't prohibit or restrict, for instance, the sale of food or other products here in Wales.
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
I would say so, broadly. But as I say, that won't be a matter for me to determine.
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
I suppose, because it's not a Government Bill, that's not really something that I've focused on; that would be a matter for Peter Fox and, obviously, for the Llywydd. In general, I would say that, yes, I think it falls within legislative competence, but I…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
On your first question, I've met with him several times and officials have met with him several times to try and flesh out, I suppose, what he wanted. I mentioned in my opening answers to the Chair that I think—. And I think you're right, Alun—I think it has…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
That's correct.
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
I think it's really disappointing that Food Sense Wales haven't understood the relevance of the policy framework that we already have with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. I think, for me, that's the big disappointment, really. We've…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
What was that, sorry? I missed that bit.
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
No, I don't support the Bill. I don't think the legislation is necessary. There are some very complex issues about food. I think, really, the Bill that's now been brought forward—which I think has changed quite a lot since Peter first brought it to the…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
Yes, of course.
