Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome today's debate as an opportunity to discuss what, it seems, are shared ambitions for the woodlands of Wales. The Welsh Government has accepted all but one of the recommendations, and I'm making sure that we are starting to act on them. The committee chair has written to me, asking for some clarification on the Government's response, but I felt it...
Hannah Blythyn: Yes, absolutely. The Member makes a very good point there. We want to build on initiatives like the woodland carbon code, where those who create new woodland are paid for carbon sequestration, and in addition I'm encouraged to see the early development of the peatland code, which supports these valuable ecosystems. In concluding, I believe that these could be exciting times for forestry in...
Hannah Blythyn: I recently met with the British Plastics Federation, RECOUP, Plastipak Holdings Inc. and Iceland to discuss what industry is doing to increase recycling and reduce the usage of plastic packaging. We're working to reduce it through a number of actions, including the carrier bag charge and a study into extended producer responsibility for food and drink packaging.
Hannah Blythyn: I think that's a really important question—really important points made—and you're right that the scourge of plastic use is really high in the public consciousness at the moment. It's important that we embrace that and take action alongside it. In the Welsh Government, we're very keen to make sure that we are leading the way on this, that we are committed to tackling the use of plastic,...
Hannah Blythyn: That research, as I mentioned, by Eunomia into extended producer responsibility is due to report back to us next month. So, I hope to have an update for this place in the not-too-distant future.
Hannah Blythyn: You're absolutely right to mention Iceland, with their proposals to reduce their own-brand plastic packaging by 2023. I think it's really important that industry is a driver as part of this as well, and, as I mentioned, I met with Iceland just before Christmas and learnt more about their plans in sustainability. I also met with Plastipak in Wrexham, which uses PET recyclable plastic, and...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you very much for that question. There seems to be a clear consensus on this issue in terms of needing to tackle it. As I said previously, I have met with a number of major supermarkets and with retail representatives to discuss this as part of our study into extended producer responsibility. We'll await the findings of that and then take it forward from there.
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you very much for that question. You're absolutely right that it is a bold move for a major retailer like Iceland, and hopefully that will also stimulate others within the sector to actually take their lead as well. I think that's when we do have some healthy competition in terms of actually ticking the boxes, and, actually, you can see a shift in people being more aware of the...
Hannah Blythyn: The Welsh Government, and here in Wales, we are proud that we have led the way in the past in terms of bringing the plastic bag charge and plastic packaging in that respect. We are continuing to work with industries and local authorities to find better markets in Wales especially for plastics. There are great opportunities in Wales for businesses to look at how they can get involved with the...
Hannah Blythyn: The Member again raises some very important points on that and prescient points on that. I'm loath to name-check the many more major corporate companies, but another well-known fast food brand has, I believe, also announced that they're looking to remove straws and other plastics in the next couple of decades. I think we need to be bold in our ambition, and when we look at refreshing the...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you for your question.
Hannah Blythyn: As you'll be aware, the disposable plastic tax is one of four taxes currently being considered by the finance Secretary. I think that's probably a question for him further down the line, but it is something I am in discussions on with the finance Secretary, and also keeping in the loop on and linked in with the proposals that you saw in the UK Government's budget on the twenty-second, to...
Hannah Blythyn: The Member is quite right to raise the public health concerns on this. Like he said, it's very clear that it's always been perceived to be an environmental issue, but, actually, if we're going to get to the root cause and tackle it and improve our air quality, it does have to involve cross-Government and cross-government working as well, in terms of local government and the UK Government. In...
Hannah Blythyn: As I stated in Plenary on 13 December, forestry is one of my top priorities. The Welsh Government will work with stakeholders to develop ways to continue to provide support for forestry as part of the sustainable land management proposals that will eventually replace the current CAP.
Hannah Blythyn: I welcome the Chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee's further political and personal interest in this key area, and following up from the debate that we had just last month. Welsh Government are aware that the woodland estate is an important social asset. We know that it brings great health and well-being benefits from being able to access it, and a sense of...
Hannah Blythyn: It might surprise the Member that I wholeheartedly agree with everything he said there. That won't happen very often. [Laughter.] As I said, forestry is one of the top priorities, and I'm well aware of the issues that he's raised. Actually, my first meeting in post was with Confor, where they raised similar issues that there is the demand there, but we have to increase the supply as well, and...
Hannah Blythyn: The Welsh Government’s flood and coastal risk management programmes are actively addressing risk across north Wales. The £5 million St Asaph scheme, protecting 548 properties, will complete shortly. In addition, we are investing over £7 million in over 30 flood schemes across north Wales.
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you for your question. You're right that the risk at Old Colwyn is to the infrastructure—rail and road—rather than to homes, and you'll be aware that officials have encouraged Conwy County Borough Council to seek appropriate partnership contributions from those stakeholders before seeking further grant funding, but Conwy borough council, I understand, are also planning to hold...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you for your question.
Hannah Blythyn: I didn't catch the beginning of it. Was that an invitation to come and visit? I'm always happy to visit north Wales. I'm acutely aware of what happened in November, just before Christmas across Ynys Môn, and I know that Welsh Government officials have been in touch with local authorities and NRW, but if the Member would like to write to me on that, then I will then take it up for him.
