, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. I think you make a very important point, and I think it's really important to highlight that it's not just avian influenza that's impacting on our egg producers. There is a series of issues that have brought together a bit of a perfect storm. I…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. The egg industry has been impacted by cost inflation rising through 2021 and latterly by avian influenza. These are common factors across the UK, with Welsh egg producers and packers integrated into UK-wide supply chains. We anticipate UK-level…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. You make a very important point about the role that our agriculture sector and our farmers can make in relation to energy efficiency. I met with the British Wool Council—it's probably 18 months ago now—where we discussed the use of Welsh wool…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Diolch. I have regular engagement with the Minister for Climate Change on a range of portfolio issues. Regarding farmers improving energy efficiency, our sustainable farming scheme will offer future support to help farmers decarbonise and, currently, we offer…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. You're quite right, the curlew is an iconic farmland and moorland bird. I am pleased that you continue to champion it. I was due to meet Curlew Wales and, unfortunately, I had to postpone the meeting. I can't remember quite why, but I will make…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
A team Wales approach is taken to protect threatened wildlife. On 10 January, my colleague the Minister for Climate Change announced measures to support a wide range of wildlife species, including many that are threatened. These measures include direct…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. I visited the Agriculture Research Centre at Gelli Aur twice myself to hear about the amazing work that's under way, and it was good to see so much progress had been made between my two visits. I very much welcome the research that's been…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
The Agriculture (Wales) Bill establishes four sustainable land management objectives as the legislative framework for future agricultural policy. The objectives are designed to be complementary, reflecting our approach to supporting the economic…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Everything I do is to protect family farms. You're quite right, we have a significant number of family farms. They're very, very important to our rural communities and, of course, they protect the Welsh language. The agricultural sector uses the Welsh…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Diolch. There are a number of monitoring and reporting provisions contained in the Agriculture (Wales) Bill designed to measure success. Alongside an annual finance report, Welsh Ministers will be required to report on the impact of the support provided…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
As you were told by NRW, if we eradicated all the catfish in that pond, you wouldn't be able to do that without eradicating all the other fish. So, I absolutely understand the information you were given from NRW. My understanding is that Brickfield pond is…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I'm aware of the discrete catfish population present in the Brickfield pond in Rhyl. NRW have been working with Brickfield angling club, who have been actively removing catfish. They are aware it is an offence to return any catfish caught to the water or move…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
You raise a really important point. It is important that there is integration in a town centre or a specific area with other investments in that particular town centre or that particular area. I think only that way will you achieve better outcomes. We provide…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I think you raise a very important point, and certainly in the Minister for Finance and Local Government's questions, we heard lots of questions around different non-statutory functions and services that we value greatly, and I think you've just obviously…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. Through our Transforming Towns regeneration programme, local authorities are encouraged to bring forward integrated green infrastructure solutions, as part of place-making plans for our towns. Green infrastructure projects across Gwent are…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I have not had any specific discussions with the Minister for Climate Change regarding genetic modification. Use of technology is an important means by which we will reach net zero. Welsh Government actively funds a range of research. At the current time, we…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. Well, I am aware of the proposed Pen March wind farm on Merthyr common. I think it is really important to state, now, that the application is still in the preliminary stages, and obviously will need to be fully assessed to determine its potential…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. I'm probably very well aware of the case that you refer to; it's something that has been very prominent. Hefin David and I have met a few times over the past few years around issues in relation to common land. As you referred to, common land is…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. We've provided funding to improve management of common land through our support schemes, and are working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure that commons are integral in future support. In the South Wales East region, our sustainable…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Well, obviously, I would prefer all the money to go to Welsh farmers, but, obviously, the criteria is that trees have to be planted here in Wales. So, I'm afraid, at the moment, with that criteria, if the address is outside of Wales, they can apply for that…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. Well, I believe that it's brought forward a great deal of benefits. Sam Kurtz asked in his first question around Glastir contracts and our plans for that, so I was very pleased to be able to announce that extension. I've just actually met with…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. I think, unfortunately, we've seen too many farmers' deaths over the past few months. And it's not just about mental health and well-being, it's about safety on the farm as well. And I was very pleased to launch a specific leaflet aimed at schools…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Yes, I'd be very happy to. I think the young farmers is a very, very impressive organisation. It's very clear from just looking around this Chamber that the skills it teaches its members are transferable life skills, if you like. So, I'll be certainly very…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
That is something that we're looking at over the next couple of months, because, as you say, I have announced that it's extended until December 2023, and then we'll obviously have 2024, and I do hope then that we'll be able to transition to the sustainable…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you. Yes, I've had conversations. You'll be aware that we've got an interim chief veterinary officer at the moment, and I've had several conversations with him around this. He's obviously had conversations, and the fact that, as I mentioned, NRW do…
