, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you very much. The planning application for the revised restoration scheme at Ffos-y-fran and linked applications for continued use of the Cwmbargoed disposal point were called in in April. An independent planning inspector will provide advice to Welsh…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I think that's a really important point about the cost to public bodies. I did see media reports about what I think you could describe as an extreme litter pick. It was quite an effort from the mountain rescue team, the local authority, as you say, landowners…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Diolch yn fawr. We certainly will continue to work closely with partners—and I mentioned Fly-tipping Action Wales—to clamp down on this issue. I know, for example, in Caerphilly, that the Fly-tipping Action Wales south-east enforcement officer has worked…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Well, look, I want those responsible for damaging our communities to pay the cost, not local authorities and our communities, because, ultimately, it's the taxpayer who ends up paying the bill. Now, Fly-tipping Action Wales is a programme delivered within…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Well, look, fly-tipping is a crime, and it needs to be treated as such, and that means strong enforcement and strong penalties. I referenced in an earlier answer the polluter pays as a principle. There's a clear parallel there in relation to fly-tipping as…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
We'll work with partners and communities across Wales to change attitudes and behaviours in how we dispose of our waste. That, of course, includes funding Fly-tipping Action Wales, which raises awareness, co-ordinates partner and community action, and works…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thanks for that question. I can't comment on any individual cases, of course, because the planning regulations mean that maybe Welsh Ministers will be involved in some of those considerations. What I can say, of course, is that 'Planning Policy Wales'…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Well, I'm determined to build on some of those programmes, absolutely, because access to nature and the creation and protection of our green spaces is an absolute priority for this Government. Our manifesto, for example, advocated social prescribing and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The Welsh Government is strengthening nature protection through a climate and nature action plan, establishing an independent environmental governance body as well, and, of course, setting ambitious targets for nature recovery. We're restoring ecosystems…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you for the question. One of the biggest tasks, I think, that this Government will face over the coming years is to recast the whole regulatory landscape here in Wales. You will know that changes are afoot, because of changes in England, and, of course…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I share, as I said, and acknowledge the concern felt locally about this. Such a situation is not acceptable. Unfortunately, of course, such things do happen because, of course, of the nature of the infrastructure, the age of the infrastructure and the fact…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
We are aware of the ongoing pollution incident affecting the River Kenfig and we share the Member's concern and that of the public regarding the situation there. I have asked Natural Resources Wales, Ofwat and Dŵr Cymru for updates on stopping the discharge…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I don't think we'll see a strategy within the next few weeks. I think there's a lot of work that needs to be done on that and, clearly, there's a lot of work to help people understand the nature of the problem that we're trying to tackle here. But it's…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Look, the Member is right: we're not on the right trajectory. The advice from the TB programme board was that, despite having a target of being TB free by 2041, at the current trajectory, it's going to be well into the 2050s until we get anywhere near where…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Well, that view, of course, contrasts starkly with the view of the experts that are advising this Government—the experts that were brought together by the previous Government. So, maybe we all need to reflect on that somewhat. I would say, on the question…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Yes, I will.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Yes, you're right, I was opposed to the regulations as were outlined previously from day one, actually. I was particularly keen to move to a more targeted and proportionate approach, as you say, not moving towards the farming-by-calendar approach. As an…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Well, you don't need to tell me how urgent an issue this is. I have friends and family who have been to hell and back because of TB. And I won't rest until we get to a position where we're on a much more positive trajectory in terms of achieving all our…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
You said we've only just published those figures. That's true, because, of course, the window for applications has only just closed, and up until midnight last night, we were still receiving applications being submitted. So, I think it's quite a positive that…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Well, certainly, we will hope to do just that. As you'll know, we have an intention to introduce a review of the red tape facing the agricultural industry, and that is one clear commitment we've got, and I look forward to making a statement on that…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I don't want to say 'no', but I have to say I'm sure you haven't seen my diary for the next few months. But I am absolutely keen to engage with the farming sector and other relevant sectors across all parts of Wales, and, when time allows, I will absolutely…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The Welsh Government is committed to responding to the needs of rural communities throughout Wales. Within the first 100 days, we will bring forward proposals for a statutory rural-proofing duty to ensure that Welsh Government programmes and funding models…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Yes.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Thank you for your question. Post-legislative scrutiny usually happens after legislation has been introduced, and I will make it clear to the Chamber today that, despite the view I had on that particular legislation, I will respect the democratic decision of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Well, you will know, of course, that that is the subject of a UK Government consultation at the minute. The Hunting Act 2004 is not within our legislative competence. I think the least we can do is await the outcome of the public consultation, which concludes…
