, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you, Minister. Just, finally, a slight segue away—and I refer to my declaration of interest once again—I know that the BVA have welcomed the Chancellor's commitment to provide 30 hours' free childcare, or to extend that. Given the shortages of vets and…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
REM, yes.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Okay. In terms of sustainability, then, I'm just wondering about an update on the introduction of REM requirements for the Welsh fleet to ensure its sustainability.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Okay, thank you. Just moving forward, in terms of the—. I'm just wondering what work has been undertaken to change the vessel monitoring system reporting requirement for vessels of 12m and over, to provide parity throughout the Welsh fleet.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Okay. So, in terms of the preparatory work, what's the general scope within that preparatory work, with regards to the Bill?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Okay. Are you still intending to bring forward a Welsh fisheries Bill?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Great. Thank you. And just in terms of the membership and current focus of the ministerial advisory group for Welsh fisheries, I’m just wondering what those are and whether the minutes are published.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Yes, thank you very much, Chair. Moving on to fisheries, I’m just wondering if there was an update on the development and publication of the fisheries operational agreements?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Yes, of course. I'll make sure that the farmer in question is able to write to you. I'll pass back to the Chair now. Thank you, Chair.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
So, in essence, it's a top-up to a grant scheme that was already in operation for support for farmers for compliance with the new regulations. Is that a summary version? Yes. Okay, helpful. And, then, just finally from me, terms of the spread of manure from…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
No, go ahead. Sorry, Gian.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
So, it's—
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
It's started
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
So, in terms of this £20 million that was announced back in October, though, there's no start date yet in the diary for when application—
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Okay, thank you. That's really helpful. Moving on to something that was mentioned on 5 October 2022 regarding an additional £20 million of funding to support compliance with the control of agricultural pollution regulations, I'm just wondering, Minister, if…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Okay, thank you. Gian Marco, anything to add?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Just quickly before Gian Marco comes in, is it your anticipation that it will roll over and it's just waiting for when that announcement is to be made?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Okay, helpful—thank you very much. Just moving on quickly, as well, with 3,000 Glastir area-based contracts—I think they total approximately £35 million—due to come to an end at the end of this year, I'm just wondering when farmers can expect an announcement…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Okay, no problem. Is there a specific reason for your decision to change your mind on that?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Moving on, back in November 2020, you issued a written statement regarding the establishment of a non-statutory rural development advisory board to advise on the content and delivery of the domestic rural support programme. I'm just wondering if you can…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Thank you very much, Chair. Good morning, Minister. Good morning, panel. Just quickly, your annual bovine TB statement was due in November but has been delayed until, if I'm correct, the twenty-eighth of this month. Can I just ask the reasons behind the delay?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
Yes, please, Chair. I declare an interest as an honorary member of the British Veterinary Association.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
I'm sure, Deputy Minister, you will be aware of my enthusiasm for the new St Clears railway station in my constituency of Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire. This is a project that the community is incredibly invested in. However, there is concern from…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Thank you very much for that response, Deputy Minister.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
3. Will the Minister provide an update on access to public transport in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire? OQ59268
