Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I recognise invasive non-native species continue to have an environmental, social and economic impact in Wales. I fully support a number of initiatives involving our partners designed to reduce the impact of these species and to control or eradicate them.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I am aware—we've exchanged a great deal of correspondence and also in this Chamber around this issue. The establishment of the psyllid has proved difficult due to overwintering pressures and also predation. We've had seven years of feed trials and there's no discernible evidence to suggest a negative impact on Japanese knotweed. So, the trials have been paused in Wales whilst the...
Lesley Griffiths: Well, yes, the UK Government told us we wouldn't lose a penny if we left the EU, so we're holding them to that. But I think you make an important point: not all non-native species do pose a threat to our health, economy and environment, and I think it is really important that we focus our action on the invasive non-native species because, as you say, there are other areas that we need to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The reservoir management protocol between Natural Resources Wales, the Environment Agency and Hafren Dyfrdwy provides a detailed set of rules on management of water levels. There is a Vyrnwy and Clywedog liaison group that meets twice a year to discuss any issues and explain decisions relating to the management of the reservoir.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I've certainly had discussions with Natural Resources Wales around Clywedog reservoir. I am aware that they've added a reservoir level gauge to the Clywedog reservoir so it makes it much easier for the public, for instance, to be able to monitor what's happening. I know it's available on their website. I know Hafren Dyfrdwy—I've also had discussions with them around dams and...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Radioactive Waste Management held a series of consultation events on their site evaluation process for a geological disposal facility. There were eight events in England and two in Wales. The events in Wales were conducted by webinar.
Lesley Griffiths: I certainly think if a council expresses this, absolutely it should be taken as read by RWM. I want to be very clear that Welsh Government has not identified any sites or communities in Wales where a geological disposal facility could be sited, nor will we seek to do so. Our policy is very clear: a GDF can only be built in Wales if there is a community willing to host it.
Lesley Griffiths: I won't be submitting a response. However, I did meet with RWM to make sure that the points raised by Rhun ap Iorwerth were absolutely taken on board. I also felt because they changed the Swansea one to a webinar, that the Llandudno one should be a webinar. As a north Walian, I'm very alive to the view that north Walians want to be treated the same as south Walians, so I made that point to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. When I launched the refreshed TB eradication programme 18 months ago, I committed to updating on progress once the complete 2018 data set of TB statistics was available. In 2018, there were 746 new TB incidents in Wales, representing a 5 per cent decrease compared to 2017. However, 11,233 cattle were slaughtered as a result of TB, representing a 12 per...
Lesley Griffiths: It is disappointing that some in the low TB area are not following the post-movement testing requirements. This minority risk spoiling it for everyone and must accept their responsibilities in protecting their herd and the wider area. We know from movement and testing data which animals need to be tested and by when, and we are tightening our enforcement protocols to take action where...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Andrew R.T. Davies, for the series of questions. I set out in my statement that whilst there had been a 5 per cent decrease in the 12 months that we're talking about in this statement in herd incidents, there was an increase in the number of cattle, and I stated why that was, with the heightened sensitivity, and also, I think, improved testing. But I do not underestimate the...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llyr, for those questions. I did promise I would bring forward a statement following the refreshed programme within this timescale, so the reason for that statement today is due to that promise. But I don't disagree with you, that it it would have been helpful to have had that field work report, and certainly, when I get the report, I'd be very happy to make that information publicly...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Neil Hamilton, for those comments and questions. I don't see a 5 per cent decrease in the number of new incidents as a failure; I see that as a success. I absolutely agree about the number of cattle that have been slaughtered. I gave the reasons why I believe that is the case, but I do, of course, want to see a decrease in that, and I've talked about the flexibility of this...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Joyce Watson, for your questions. Just picking up on that last point—and, certainly, officials constantly monitor the different programmes and systems used in relation to trying to eradicate bovine TB—I mentioned before that the chief veterinary officer is going to Dublin today, to—. I forget which university it is. Professor Hewinson, who I mentioned, working at our centre...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I welcome the opportunity to present this LCM on the Rivers Authorities and Land Drainage Bill to the Assembly, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank members of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee for considering the Bill in readiness for today's debate. This LCM has been triggered due to the discovery of obstacles to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and thank you to Dai Lloyd for raising those points. I set out the reasoning why we thought the LCM was appropriate. I do think the consent is technical and it's very non-contentious. So, we thought it was a pragmatic approach that we would to that. I will ensure that your comments are fed back to DEFRA also and, if there's anything further, I would be happy to write to the Member.
Lesley Griffiths: Formally.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I welcome the opportunity to respond to this debate. I believe the Plaid Cymru motion is right to point to the stark warning from the scientific community and the need for urgent and rapid global response. Climate change is not a distant threat. As we debate today, the impacts of climate change are damaging the lives and livelihoods of millions of people across...
Lesley Griffiths: It's going out to consultation.
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh housing conditions survey, commissioned by the Welsh Government, collected information regarding the energy efficiency of all types of housing in Wales. The statistical release published last December reported average domestic energy efficiency has improved from an EPC band E in 2008, to band D in this latest survey.
