Lesley Griffiths: There are a number of statutory requirements in place to ensure the National Grid considers the environmental impact of its proposals across Ynys Môn. The National Grid opened its latest consultation last week on the north Wales connection project to connect Wylfa Newydd to the existing grid.
Lesley Griffiths: The National Grid will need to complete an environment impact assessment. They need to be very sensitive to the environment, and that includes lines under the Menai strait, due to specific land designations. The First Minister is meeting the new chief executive of National Grid next week to discuss the work currently being undertaken, and that will include discussions about crossings of the...
Lesley Griffiths: I would encourage everyone who’s got an interest in this area to take part in the consultation. Obviously, it’s for the UK Government to consent to the National Grid’s north Wales reinforcement project, so, whilst we are involved in discussions, as I say, it is a matter for the UK Government to do that.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Responding to the challenges our coastal communities face in adapting to a changing climate is a funding priority for supporting our Welsh coastline. This Government is working with local authorities preparing a £150 million programme of investment in coastal risk management.
Lesley Griffiths: I did think that when I saw the question, but I do know there are interests in coastal risks in Monmouthshire, and I quite agree with you about the Black Rock picnic site. I haven’t had any specific discussions with the National Trust on this issue, but I will check if my officials have, and write to the Member.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. Officials are currently drafting the first ever Welsh national marine plan. I’ve recently agreed to launch the formal consultation by the summer of next year. The plan will set out our policy for the sustainable use of the marine area for the next 20 years.
Lesley Griffiths: I do appreciate that we have been waiting for this, and I have—I think I said at the committee when I came for scrutiny that it is a priority, but it’s important we get it right. It’s very complex. It’s the first one—I think we’re being pioneering in Wales, having this plan. I think it’s very important to help us manage our seas in a much more integrated way, because we are...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Recycling in Wales is a success story, though there are challenges for some south-east Wales local authorities. Three local authorities failed to meet the recycling target for 2015-16. Each authority has been asked to explain why it failed to meet the target, and I will consider these explanations.
Lesley Griffiths: Probably, going forward, that’s something that we would need to consider. At the moment, I am more interested in looking at what’s happening on a local authority basis. I mentioned that it is a real success story, recycling in Wales. We are way ahead of the game, and if we were done on an individual basis in Europe we would be fourth in the league tables. I mentioned that three have...
Lesley Griffiths: During the transition to a low-carbon economy, our policies support a diverse energy mix in Wales, which delivers an affordable secure supply to protect the most vulnerable in society at a cost that does not threaten industry and jobs.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, we are supportive of appropriately sited large energy investments, and that includes our onshore renewables and marine, as well as the low-carbon environmental goods and services sector. Again, I think we’ve got a really good news story here in Wales, and I work with my Cabinet colleagues under the framework set out in the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 to plan the transition to a...
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government’s code of practice on snares places the welfare of animals at its core. The code was published last year and provides clear guidance on the operation and inspection of fox snares. I would be prepared to consider taking further steps, should the code prove ineffective.
Lesley Griffiths: I said in an earlier answer to Mohammad Asghar that the way we treat our animals really reflects on our society’s values. As the code of practice states, snares should only be used when other control methods are not available. I am very happy to assure the Member that I will monitor it, and if it’s not effective, I will look at further action. We are also discussing with stakeholders how...
Lesley Griffiths: In my 28 June statement, I set out this Government’s approach and priorities for flood and coastal risk management. We are investing £55 million this year on reducing risk and maintaining our existing assets. This includes major work in St Asaph, Boverton, Risca, Newport and Talybont in Gwynedd.
Lesley Griffiths: I thank Mike Hedges. It’s always really good to receive positive feedback on how our flood schemes are performing, and I think the £7 million Swansea scheme is an example of how flood investment can bring multiple benefits, and, certainly, having looked at it, it brings benefits for biodiversity, for instance, and amenity improvements.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Lywydd. I would like to update Members on the Welsh Government’s refreshed TB eradication programme. Our 2012 framework for bovine TB eradication in Wales comes to an end this year. It is time to take stock, reflect on our successes, learn lessons and consider a refreshed approach. Since 2012, we’ve seen a downward trend in the number of new cases of bovine TB in cattle herds in...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Simon Thomas, for those questions. I refute allegations that there’s been a lull in our TB eradication programme since we announced we wouldn’t be vaccinating badgers. That’s just one part of the programme; we have other measures, and that includes the animal testing regime. We have been testing much harder than we were. We’ve got Cymorth TB. We’ve had informed purchasing,...
Lesley Griffiths: I thank Paul Davies for his comments and that series of questions. I think we are taking a holistic approach. I think it’s very important that we do look at the tools at our disposal. Please remember this is a consultation and I will certainly consider all the responses we have before making any decisions. I’ve told officials I want it to be very quick, so the consultation will close on...
Lesley Griffiths: I absolutely don’t agree with that. I don’t think you can compare vaccination and culling at all. In relation to your comments around Northern Ireland, as I’ve said, I think—certainly looking at what they have been doing—it has had a very positive impact on the badger population also, and I’m very concerned about the health and welfare, of course, of badgers too. I’m not...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I was very pleased that Vikki Howells undertook visits arranged by the two farming unions. I think it's really important, and certainly since I came into post, that's been my message to the farming unions: that we should encourage as many Members as possible to visit farms and learn more about the sector. In relation to your two specific questions, officials are currently assessing...
