, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
First of all, thank you, Chair, for inviting us along. It's good to see committee members. I think it's very clear that the food system is absolutely central to the future socioeconomic prosperity of Wales, and of course, it has to be a robust food system. I…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
Can I thank Luke Fletcher for raising this question? I absolutely agree with the sentiments that all bodies should do everything they can to make sure that people get the support that they're entitled to. Towards the end of the previous Senedd, the then Welsh…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Thank you very much. Thank you.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Yes, thanks for that, Sam. That was helpful. I don’t know if that answered your question appropriately enough, Paul, but that’s where we are.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Yes, it is—obviously, we gave it consideration and looked at everything that was around us. There were areas I would have liked to have been stronger on, like food labelling and things like that, but that would have meant a conflict with the United Kingdom…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
I think it's difficult to make all of those assumptions. The trouble is, in public life, that we look at everything in a financial, fiscal currency, don't we? We should sometimes think of things with a social currency, and they're not always easily…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Yes, there has. Can I bring Tyler in on that, Chair?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
For the RIA, obviously, we had to do some modelling on resourcing, and I relied on our team to research the various legislation that has happened across the UK, and what's happened here. You'll know that, within the RIA, there is a broad assumption of what…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Thank you, Sarah. As I've said throughout this process so far today, we are on a journey. We are willing to amend and change. But hopefully, all of us in the Senedd, our aspirations are to deliver on what we're trying to achieve through this, and if we can…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
I'm conscious of time, but I think it's always been the case that I didn't mind this not being my Bill; I didn't mind giving it to the Welsh Government to evolve and shape and to help and assist. I hope that political differences don't get in the way of…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Thank you, Sarah, for those critical challenges. I've had a couple of meetings with the Minister. The Minister has made it very clear right from the beginning that she doesn't believe that this is needed. She believes everything can be delivered through the…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Anybody want to have a stab at that?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
I think my experience of local government and everything—and for those authorities, for instance, that are already looking at this area—local authorities inherently consult. They've got to get the thing right to deliver for the people they serve. For me, it…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Yes, please, Samiwel.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
As a suggestion, I think that is something—perhaps there is an opportunity to do that. It may come out through the depth of these processes that that might come as a strong recommendation at some point. We're willing to listen to that. If that's perceived as…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
I think it's a point we had considered, that there could be some challenges on both the commission and the future generations commissioner, if they were being consulted to give their perspective on all of those things. I think, recognising there's a two-year…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
As I said in my opening at the beginning, this Bill is framework, but it sits above all other plans. Other plans can work to that overarching focus of creating that sustainable food system and having some holistic approach to every part of how the food system…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Absolutely. Absolutely, yes.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
I suppose we could have put one year in, but it was decided, on advice, that two years would be a sensible approach. I think, again, that the terminology says 'within two years'. That gives flexibility to review earlier if things aren't working. Again, you'd…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Sam, did you want to come in on that?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
And Senedd Cymru, yes.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
The Welsh Government appoint the members, in consultation with the chair.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Oh, right. So, yes, there are procedures set out in the Act to manage all of that. So, there are different perspectives on there. My view is that, within a five-year period, you've got time to build that expertise, you're using that expertise in the best way…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Sorry?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
It is a dilemma. We did chew that over. What sort of system would you put in place to put them in in the first place? So, we'll bring one new member in, 'You're on one year'; 'You're on two years'; 'You're on three years', you know—. The reality is, in most…
