, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
I've got the list here.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
Yes, I'm absolutely happy to clarify that.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
The statement of indicators and targets must be published and laid before the Senedd by 31 December 2025. That date has been set so that we have time for due consideration and preparation of the indicators and targets, and, obviously, that will include…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
Thank you. Obviously, we are required to consult with the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and anybody else that we think appropriate. We're not restricted at all by the fact that we've got to consult with the future generations commissioner. I don't…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
I do think there's a vision for the industry. There's a separate vision for the food and drink industry. But within the Bill, I go back to the first objective, and that's support for sustainable food production. And also the inclusion, obviously, of ancillary…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
Part of the discussion we're having in relation to the sustainable farming scheme is around this. Because, obviously, under these powers, the scheme proposes support to farmers that goes beyond the legal minimum—by enhancing access, for instance. So, those…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
You just stated, Huw, that the fourth objective does recognise the importance of promoting public access to the countryside and engagement. I think that's further emphasised through the power to provide support. Again, if you look at the powers to provide…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
Obviously, we'll be considering this committee's report as well.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
Refining, yes—it's certainly part of the discussions.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
We can certainly look at it.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
Obviously, the objectives are set out. I know there's a call for another objective, and I'm certainly working—I'm sure you know—with Plaid Cymru as part of the co-operation agreement around that. We do think the objectives as set out will support the economy…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
The whole purpose of the Bill and, obviously, the sustainable farming scheme that we're working with alongside is to support our farmers. So, as I say, we use the term 'keeping farmers on our land', but the whole of the Bill is to support the agricultural…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
No, but Welsh Ministers 'must' consider all the objectives.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
I don't think it needs amending, personally. The way it's set out, it requires Welsh Ministers to look at the four objectives in the round, so, a sort of holistic approach. We didn't want to restrict it in any way, so when you're considering the sustainable…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
'Yes', is the short answer. Obviously, it's very much cross-Government from a rural point of view. Lots of ministerial portfolios fit into the rural aspect. You mention the Welsh language and, obviously, the fourth objective is around supporting the language…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
There were. So, I suppose, going back to what James was just saying, the first objective is, obviously, around sustainable food production, so I think food sovereignty could, obviously, be tackled within that first objective. That absolutely focuses on the…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
Yes. We've talked about having an agricultural Bill and, obviously, that has been part of the discussions we've had with stakeholders. So, I'm equally surprised, because, obviously, we've been monitoring the evidence sessions.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
Well, we've had three consultations, which, obviously, stakeholders have participated in. We had the White Paper. Even going as far back as the stakeholder round-table we had following leaving the European Union where this was discussed right from the fore…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
I think the UN definition and the World Bank definition are both integrated into what we've used. I explained at the beginning why we used that definition, but certainly the way we've laid out the objectives of sustainable land management, I think, does…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
So, we as a Government have defined sustainable land management within the context of the Bill through the four sustainable land management objectives, which you will have seen in the Bill. This Bill is a made-in-Wales agricultural policy. It's the first time…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
Oh, sorry—and Hannah Fernandez at the end, who's the lead policy official, land management reform unit.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Agriculture (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 10
Thank you, Chair. I'm Lesley Griffiths, I'm the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd. On my left is James Owen, deputy director, land management reform division. On my right is Dorian Brunt, senior lawyer, legal services department in…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you. I am aware the Minister for Health and Social Services led a summit of cancer service providers and leaders last month to make sure that we're doing everything that we can to recover cancer services from the impact of the pandemic. I know she…
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
I will ask the Deputy Minister for Climate Change to come forward with a written statement on that issue.
, Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Thank you. The allegations in the report are extremely worrying. I know the Minister for Social Justice was very pleased that the force was very clear about this. Obviously, as a Government, we stand against corruption, misogyny, racism and homophobia in all…
