, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you very much for the question. We are committed, of course, to supporting communities across Wales to adapt to climate change and to minimise the impacts of severe weather. We have already started on the work of developing an ambitious new climate and…
, Plenary
Reform UK Debate: A Welsh Rivers Act
The Welsh Government will protect our rivers, but we will do that by taking control of water in Wales so that we can strengthen regulatory oversight, improve accountability of water companies and drive better environmental performance across our rivers, lakes…
, Plenary
Reform UK Debate: A Welsh Rivers Act
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd. May I thank everyone who's contributed to this debate? I think it's true to say that we are all speaking from our hearts when we discuss this issue. Although the words might differ in emphasis, I think we all want to see…
, Plenary
Reform UK Debate: A Welsh Rivers Act
Move.
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Diolch yn fawr. Can I congratulate the Member for constantly bending my ear on some of these issues? He's clearly already a strong advocate of the rural communities that he represents. On some of the changes to the SFS, we have had a number of…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you. We will, as you would expect, work closely with the farming unions. I'm a big believer in the lived impact and the lived experience of Government policy. It's easy enough for politicians to rock up and say, ‘This is what's best’, but if it doesn't…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you for that. As I said earlier, I have met this morning with the new rural affairs Minister at Westminster. He's a matter of days into role. In fairness, I think both he and I are a bit wet behind the ears, but certainly there is a dialogue to be had…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you for those questions. I've already met with some representatives of the livestock and abattoir sector in Wales. Clearly, as I answered previously, I share your and other people's concerns at the loss of that capacity. We do not want to see that…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you for that question. My message to young people is that we hear you and we will act. We have proposals to be net zero by 2040, for nature recovery by 2050. Our work on our climate and nature action plan is already under way, and we'll publish our…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
They probably feel less resilient and less sustainable because we've only been in Government for four or five weeks. You know, let's be serious. I've been here outlining actions that we're already taking. You mentioned they have to comply with more. We've…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you for the question. The importance of the food and drink sector to Wales is undoubtable. That is, when you look at some of the figures, it's incredible, truth be told. It represents a value of around £27 billion a year to the economy of Wales, and is…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Yes, okay, fine. Well, that, of course, is a consequence of Brexit. We are left without recourse if public authorities are not meeting their commitments or legal obligations in relation to the environment; where previously you could refer it to the EU, you…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
On the last point, I didn't quite understand. I think you mean the Office of Environmental Governance Wales.
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Diolch yn fawr. Thank you for those questions. I look forward to the scrutiny, no doubt, that you will afford me in this Chamber and beyond. On coal tip safety, I certainly wish to continue the work of the previous Government and much of that does mean…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I'll take them in—. No, I might not take them in order, but I'll take them in order of preference, maybe. [Laughter.] On the red tape review, look, I'm serious about quick wins. We've set nine months as a limit, if you like. It's going to be an iterative…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you very much for that lengthy list of issues for me to respond to.
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I also, Dirprwy Lywydd, want to decrease the bureaucratic burden on family farms, making a real difference to the time that is spent on complicated and duplicated processes—time that could otherwise be spent managing stock, improving productivity or, of…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The plan is about delivery. We'll improve resilience to climate impacts while supporting opportunities for skilled well-paid jobs, community energy, warmer homes, better infrastructure and a fair transition for all. The plan will bring together the practical…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you very much, Deputy Llywydd. I'm very pleased to make this statement today to explain my priorities for my portfolio. In a week, of course, where we are experiencing a red weather warning for heat for the first time here in Wales, I'd like to start…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
As I mentioned earlier, I think, the planning system should take account of these issues. Clearly there will be examples where that doesn't happen, and there may or may not be valid reasons for that. That's a subjective view, maybe. But I am committed to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I recognise the importance of protecting and improving access to green spaces for community well-being, health and the resilience of our urban environments. We are reviewing existing support for urban green infrastructure and community delivery, working with…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
As somebody who has spoken openly about my personal experience of mental health challenges, I am passionate about the work that the DPJ Foundation, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Tir Dewi and all the others do in that space. It's an invaluable…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I visited, along with the finance Minister, as it happens, the Pembrokeshire project some months ago, and I was inspired by the work that's being done there. As you said, it is led by the industry. The farmers and the veterinarian sector work together. They…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
We are committed to taking a holistic approach to TB eradication in Wales, one that is based on science and is evidence led, drawing on expertise and advice from the technical advisory group and the TB programme board here in Wales.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I wasn't aware of that. I do think that local voices are important in such discussions. That is something that I will take away and discuss further with officials. Thank you for raising the issue.
