Lesley Griffiths: Well, I think it’s about getting the balance between air pollution and noise pollution, but it’s about, as I say, getting that balance. That hasn’t been raised with me before, but I’m very happy to look at it. Beyond Wales, there are many areas of non-devolved activity that are needed to bring down emissions as quickly as possible. For example, the House of Commons’s Environment,...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Presiding Officer. I would like to thank the Welsh Conservatives for tabling this debate on this very important issue, and I’m very happy to support the original motion. I’m very sorry that David Melding, the Member for South Wales Central, wasn’t reassured enough last week by my answer to him, that, yes, I am absolutely responsible for air quality; it is within my portfolio....
Lesley Griffiths: I nominate Lynne Neagle.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Generally, rural areas are not impacted by significant levels of pollution from traffic, due to the smaller volumes of traffic in rural locations. A small number of rural towns have elevated levels of pollutants generated by traffic. Local authorities implement air-quality action plans to reduce pollution in these locations.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, obviously, the roads in question are the responsibility of the local authority. I know that officials have been talking to Newport City Council, who have recently commissioned a traffic and air quality assessment within Caerleon. What they want to do is identify traffic-related measures, which, if they could be implemented, would improve the air quality, and potentially noise also....
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The nitrous oxide in fish, we know, will have a future impact on egg counts, but it is hoped that the river will recover naturally over time. I mentioned that Natural Resources Wales are working with the farmer to implement pollution prevention measures—to improve the infrastructure at the farm to reduce the likelihood of further pollution incidents. They have collected evidence...
Lesley Griffiths: I was just going to say that, in my day, that was called Tufty. I think you raise a very important point, and, certainly, I will be meeting very regularly with Natural Resources Wales on forestry. It’s hugely important to our country, so I’m very happy to take that forward.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. This was a serious water pollution incident caused by an unknown quantity of farm slurry entering the watercourse from a local farm, resulting in 380 dead fish. Natural Resources Wales is considering formal enforcement action following a review of the facts of the case and public interest factors.
Lesley Griffiths: I was very pleased to see that last week. They offered me the hedgehog, but I decided that I would be champion for all of Wales’s biodiversity. [Interruption.] I thought perhaps it was a bit prickly. [Laughter.] But I absolutely do support the role of species champions. I think it’s a really good initiative, because it will highlight the importance of species, their habitat needs, and the...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, I absolutely agree. It’s something, as we look at what schemes we’ll be funding over the coming years, that we can have a look at—that specific issue. There’s always technology and research that shows us new ways of doing it, and it’s really important that we have that flexibility to be able to do that.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The nature recovery plan for Wales sets out our objectives and actions to achieve our ambition to reverse the decline in biodiversity by 2020. This will contribute to the nation’s well-being and the sustainable management of our natural resources.
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, you’re absolutely right. These locations have benefited from contributions from EU funding for flood-risk management schemes. They’ve supplemented our own funding too, and they’ve enabled us to increase the amount of properties that are protected in Wales from flooding.
Lesley Griffiths: Again, I’m sorry I don’t have the research information in front of me, but I will write to you.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I will be making a statement next week on flood and coastal-risk management for the whole of Wales. Flood-risk management plans have recently been published by Rhondda Cynon Taf and Natural Resources Wales that set out the detailed approach to managing the flood risk in the Cynon Valley.
Lesley Griffiths: I’m afraid I don’t have those data to hand, but I will be happy to write to the Member with that.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. My officials have sought assurances from Caerphilly County Borough Council in relation to the A472 air quality management area near Crumlin that you mention, concerning what action they’re going to take to improve the local air quality. The council are planning a steering group meeting, which you’re probably aware of next month, and they’re going to get input from local...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Improving local air quality is a key objective for the Welsh Government. We support local authorities in the implementation of their duties under the Environment Act 1995, which requires them to monitor air quality and implement action plans to improve it in areas affected by high levels of pollution.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, it only won approval in May of last year, so it’s only just over a year. We have opened 15 schemes: I opened a further scheme last week. We’ve got over £260 million of funding committed across all sectors. So, I think there is, as I say, immense potential for the sector. I want to really work on those strategic initiatives across. I suppose we can always do things more quickly, but...
Lesley Griffiths: I think you’re absolutely right. We do need to see much more of a transformational change, and we need to do that in partnership with the farmers. Certainly, from my discussions with the FUW and NFU, they’re very up for this. I do think that they want to see some speed in relation to going forward. One of the things I have discussed with them is the strategic initiatives, and to have...
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government rural communities rural development programme 2014-20 is supporting rural communities and the economy with a combination of Welsh Government and EU funding. Fifteen schemes have opened already and Glastir small grants will open on 27 June. We are continuing to work with stakeholders to refine and develop the programme.
