Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd, and thank you to Mike Hedges, Mick Antoniw and Llyr Huws Gruffydd for their contributions. I do understand Members' disappointment and concerns, and I had hoped that I had explained why we were doing it this way. We do have to consider proportionality and prudence in our decision making when we bring forward legislation. As I say, there's no Welsh Government Bill before this...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. Our natural resources policy sets out our plans to address the challenges our environment faces and I would like to update Members on the work we are doing within this to support forestry in Wales. Our forests are an important part of our natural landscape. They are a social, economic and environmental asset. We need large and small-scale diverse woodlands that include...
Lesley Griffiths: I thank Andrew R.T. Davies for that series of questions and observations. You are right—it is a huge industry, and I think it's one that we need to value and care for. I mentioned about my meeting with Confor and NRW specifically because the difficulties are very well rehearsed. We had a long debate on the Grant Thornton report and, clearly, things have been said publicly that I wanted to...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llyr Huws Gruffydd, for those questions. In relation to NRW, as I said in my response to Andrew R.T. Davies, obviously, we've had a very long debate in the Chamber about it, and you'll be aware that I disagreed with you that an independent review was necessary, and I still hold that viewpoint. Obviously, Grant Thornton went in, they did a report, NRW have accepted the recommendations...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Mike Hedges, for that list of questions. I agree with you: I don't think you can have too many trees. I'm not aware of the reasons why the trees were being taken down in my friend Rebecca Evans's constituency, but I have to say, one of the most deep experiences I've had lately was I was very fortunate to visit Muir Woods in San Francisco when I was there last September for the...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Yes, I certainly had a very informative visit to Clifford Jones Timber in Ruthin, where they were particularly helpful in explaining the barriers that they certainly have, and clearly, the day I went there, their yard was probably half full, whereas normally, it would be 100 per cent storage. So, again, they were very helpful. I took along officials and people from NRW so, again,...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, David Rees, for those questions. I'm very aware of the area in your constituency that has lost a significant number of trees due to disease, and I mentioned in an earlier answer that I know NRW, through my discussions with the chief executive, have some significant—. I think they're over there; I think they keep about 4 per cent of land available for forestry, and I think they're...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The landscape and coastline of Wales have been shaped by powerful and inspiring natural forces that continue to influence where and how we live. One of the challenges we face is how best to mitigate the risks and adapt to change as individuals, across communities and as a nation. Within this context, I am pleased to have this opportunity to update Members...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much, Andrew R.T. Davies, for those questions, and I think you opened with and articulated very well the devastating impact flooding has on individuals, not only the financial, but also the sentimental, and I don't think we can underestimate the impact that that could have on an individual. Difficult budget decisions do have to be made, but I think by investing over £350...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llyr Huws Gruffydd. So, we'll start with Old Colwyn, and again, you see, you're saying to Welsh Government, 'When are you going to bring these people to the table?' This is a matter for Conwy County Borough Council. They're the ones who keep coming to us, asking for money, and they're the ones who need to be talking to these partners. My officials have spoken to the local authority,...
Lesley Griffiths: I thank Vikki Howells for those questions, and you, too, articulated, I think, very eloquently about the impact on people who experience flooding. And even just being evacuated from a train, I can imagine how stressful that could be. And of course we are aware of what happened in your constituency with storm Callum. I think it's absolutely vital that individuals have the latest information...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Darren Millar, and, yes, I'm very aware of the difficulties several parts of your constituency has experienced with flooding. I certainly remember the floods in Towyn, probably nearly 30 years ago. Around Old Colwyn—I explained why it's not part of this programme. Certainly, a caravan park is a business, so I think we need to have a look at that, perhaps, in a more imaginative...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Joyce Watson. And you're absolutely right—climate change is obviously having a massive impact on our weather and you referred to the hottest February I think we've had. And you could see this morning from the flash floods that we had that this is going to become ever-occurring, I think, as we go forward. I'm very pleased you mentioned two schemes in your area, and you also made a...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Caroline Jones, for those questions. You articulated how climate change is affecting our wildlife and our biodiversity, and you referred to topsoil. I go back to what I was saying about natural flood risk management: I think it's really important that we look at all management techniques as a measure for preventing such things occurring. I've mentioned our national strategy, which...
Lesley Griffiths: Formally.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you for the opportunity to respond to this debate today. We last discussed Natural Resources Wales at a debate here on 13 February, following the Public Accounts Committee's report of NRW's annual report and accounts. During the debate, I think we all recognised, barring a few, the extraordinary work carried out by the staff of Natural Resources...
Lesley Griffiths: No, you've had your say. NRW is a single body responsible for all of Wales's natural resources— [Interruption.] You'll have the time. You can wrap up this debate and you can have your opportunity. NRW is a single body responsible for all of Wales's natural resources, and this approach has clear benefits in terms of operational efficiency, in strategic planning and for taking the...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Chair. These regulations make amendments to the Registration of Establishments (Laying Hens) (Wales) Regulations 2004, the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Wales) Order 2007, the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Wales) Regulations 2007, and the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Wales) Regulations 2014. Changes made by the regulations include omitting the reference to 'acting as a...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Dai Lloyd for your comments and observations. Obviously, we would not wish to be making legislation in the way that we're currently having to do, and you will have heard me say previously in this place that if we'd taken the decision to make all EU exit legislative corrections for devolved areas solely in Wales, it would've required about 200 statutory instruments and at least four...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Chair. I move the motion. These regulations amend the following four pieces of domestic subordinate legislation in the field of agriculture: the Agricultural Subsidies and Grants Schemes (Appeals) (Wales) Regulations 2006; the Rural Development Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2014; the Common Agricultural Policy (Integrated Administration and Control System and Enforcement and...
