, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you for drawing attention to that particular scheme. I always believe that this kind of work is most effective when you empower local communities to take action like that, and, of course, we have backed that commitment with practical investment through…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Well, thank you for the question. As you say, it's similar to the question that has been asked, and I feel that the answer may well be similar as well. But it is about striking that balance, I think, and, as I say, the planning system should, when it…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you for the question. Obviously it's about striking the right balance, isn't it? We know that there is a demand for energy, we know that there is a demand for food, and consequently there will be, sometimes, conflicting demand for land. The planning…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you for raising this issue. I am aware, actually, of the concerns that residents have raised on this particular issue. You will also know that this is a matter for Newport City Council; it wouldn't be appropriate for me to intervene in what is and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Obviously, our community green spaces matter for people, for nature and the places where people live. We are investing in programmes that protect and improve them, including in Newport and Islwyn. I want to build on that work, particularly in communities…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Update on the Deposit-return Scheme
Well, I'll refer the Member to our manifesto. We are committed to this scheme. No. 1, of course, it's the law. We have to do it. The law says that we have to deliver this scheme. But we have said in our manifesto that we will deliver the deposit-return…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Update on the Deposit-return Scheme
Thank you. I can assure you that we will continue to work across the UK nations on this. Certainly, I know that a lot of work was done by my predecessor and the corresponding Ministers across the UK—that is continuing. Officials from all four nations are…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Update on the Deposit-return Scheme
Thank you. There's quite a lot there. In terms of why include glass, given the costs involved and the implications for business, for local authorities and the changes in consumer behaviour that will be required, any scheme that we run in relation to DRS has…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Update on the Deposit-return Scheme
Thank you very much for welcoming this. Clearly, we're building on work that was done previously by our predecessor Government. It's something we inherited, but it's something we're embracing, and we're working hard to make sure that it works for everyone…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Update on the Deposit-return Scheme
Well, what I would say initially is if we pause, if we wait, then I have no doubt that you would be on your feet then complaining about the risk of fraud. Because the rest of the UK is moving in this direction, okay? And everybody who was up in arms saying…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Update on the Deposit-return Scheme
Maintaining current recycling performance is not the only aim of the scheme. It is also to capture valuable materials that would otherwise be littered, lost from the recycling system, or collected at a lower quality, whilst also laying the foundations for…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Update on the Deposit-return Scheme
The scheme will include metal and plastic drinks containers from day 1. Glass containers will also be in scope from day 1, but reflecting our manifesto commitment, we will work closely with Exchange for Change, and the wider drinks industry, on a pragmatic…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Update on the Deposit-return Scheme
Now, Wales is already recognised for achieving one of the highest recycling rates in the world, and to justify the investment and the changes that are required from businesses and consumers, the scheme must deliver additional benefits beyond the high levels…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Update on the Deposit-return Scheme
Now, the appointment of Exchange for Change followed a robust process to identify an organisation capable of delivering the scheme here in Wales. As the deposit management organisation, Exchange for Change will now work with producers, retailers, local…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Update on the Deposit-return Scheme
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd. Today, I am very pleased to be able to update Members on Wales's deposit-return scheme. On 20 August, I announced the appointment of Exchange for Change as the deposit management organisation for us here in Wales. With…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you for your question. I can confirm that we will absolutely work with these groups and organisations to make sure that they're sustainable and that their programmes support those who have particular needs when it comes to accessing food. Officials…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The Welsh Government supports surplus food redistribution by providing funding to FareShare Cymru and other organisations to work with food producers and businesses so that we can redistribute that surplus food to charities, community groups, foodbanks and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
On a personal level, I've done a lot with BASC over many years and appreciate the contribution that they make. In fact, this Government recognises the contribution shooting makes to the conservation ecosystem in Wales, and it's something I don't foresee…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The Welsh Government develops policies through a combination of scientific evidence, stakeholder engagement and practical land management experience. Programmes such as the sustainable farming scheme have been shaped through consultation with farmers, land…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Growing those kinds of enterprises is a cornerstone of much of the business activity and growth we want to see. As a Government, we'll be supporting food and drink businesses of various sizes, of various stages in maturity, so that they can grow and thrive…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you very much for the question. I have commenced the work of ensuring that there is a kind of joined-up approach to developing a future national food strategy. My officials are establishing its scope and strategic approach. I am engaging key…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Can I thank the Member for raising this because I know that she has been a strong advocate of action around the Hafod landfill site for a long, long time? I recognise the work that she's done over many years, actually, and I also recognise the strength of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thanks for the question. Our policy, of course, is to phase out landfill by moving waste up the hierarchy through prevention, reuse and recycling, while ensuring that operational landfill sites are independently regulated to the highest environmental…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you. Obviously, this was before my time, but I am aware that that had been identified as a critical issue. My understanding is that there are now agreements in place. The other issue as well, of course, which was highlighted to us in committee in a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Yes, thank you for that. Clearly, I agree, as you will have gathered from my previous answer, that it is a big part of the answer for us when it comes to meeting the challenge of flooding. We've invested more than £5 million, actually, in 2026-27 to support…
