Lesley Griffiths: In relation to the animal abuse register, Bethan Jenkins had a short debate on this issue and I have committed to looking very closely at having such a register. I don’t think I need to have discussions with my UK counterparts in relation to that. I am meeting with the Secretary of State tomorrow. She’s coming to Cardiff at my invitation to accompany me to a stakeholder event around...
Lesley Griffiths: I am continuing to look at it, quite comprehensively actually. I had a very good presentation from a vet from Scotland around work in this area, and I will certainly write to the Member about the presentation, because I think it would be very beneficial for you and any other Member who wanted to see it. So, it is ongoing and I will update Members in due course.
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely. I’m aware of the campaign by the RSPCA and I’ve asked the chief veterinary officer to have a look at it for me.
Lesley Griffiths: Yes. I’ve already given a commitment that we are going to review that legislation, because I need to make sure that that legislation is the most appropriate, and that piece of work will be beginning in the spring of this year.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I recognise the value of maintaining and enhancing marine biodiversity and building the resilience in our marine environment. The marine strategy framework directive requires us to achieve good environmental status of our seas. It sets out the measures we are taking to protect, maintain and restore the environment.
Lesley Griffiths: Yes. I absolutely agree with the Member and I am very committed to Wales completing its contribution to a well-managed ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas. You’ll be aware of the network assessment that we undertook last year, which demonstrated that Wales is already making a significant contribution towards the UK network, for instance. We’ve got 128 marine protected...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely. It’s a very important site, and I would absolutely agree with the Member.
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely. I think that’s one of the opportunities, as opposed to the risks and the challenges, and you’re quite right. David Melding mentioned the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. We have the EU nature directives. We have our own directives, as you say, and we’ve got our own legislation in place now, both in the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and the Well-being of Future...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Access to water has never been off our agenda. The Welsh Government is keen to secure improvements in opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors. I have considered the responses to a Welsh Government consultation on accessing the outdoors, and intend to set out my approach in the coming weeks.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, I was actually a member of the Sustainability Committee back in 2009; it’s actually 2010 I think we had our inquiry into access to inland waters. And what the Welsh Government has been doing to date is actually following the recommendations from that committee report. But we have had a review of legislation on access to the outdoors, and we’ve had a subsequent public consultation,...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely. I think it’s a very emotive issue. I remember when I was a member of the Sustainability Committee, my postbag was quite full from both anglers and canoeists, and as a Minister it’s just the same. It is incredibly emotive. It’s about, I think, considering not just anglers, not just canoeists—it’s about walkers, it’s about swimmers, it’s about gorge walkers;...
Lesley Griffiths: That is something we are going to have to consider. The access to the water is probably the most contentious issue that’s come out of the consultation. The advice from Natural Resources Wales does say that the existing voluntary access agreements—. There’s only around 4.6 per cent of the total main river length of Wales available for canoeing and kayaking, so we need to have a look at...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well-managed common land provides significant economic, social and environmental benefits to the people of Wales. Grazing rights are an important part of the management regime on common land. The Commons Act 2006, which is currently being implemented here, provides an established process for the delivery of their protection.
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, I’m certainly very happy to look at that. I am aware that we have exchanged correspondence, and I’d be very happy to look at that also to see if there’s any more we can do. But I’ll look at the guidance, and if there’s a need to update it, we’ll be happy to do so.
Lesley Griffiths: My officials are doing a significant piece of work at the moment around the Commons Act, so I’ll certainly look at that specific point and, if appropriate, bring a statement forward.
Lesley Griffiths: The Mynydd y Gwair development is a commercial wind farm in strategic search area E. It has received all necessary consents and I understand construction starts next month. The developer will invest £50 million and provide employment during the build, generating enough clean energy to power up to 22,600 homes.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, I haven’t had any specific discussions with the developer. I will check with my officials if they have and I’ll write to the Member.
Lesley Griffiths: I think that’s an issue we certainly need to look at, and I’m very happy to do that and will update the Member.
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government has a strong track record in supporting community renewable energy schemes. As a result of Welsh Government support, 11 schemes are up and running, providing benefit to the local area, and five more are in construction.
Lesley Griffiths: I’m very happy to support local energy schemes. I’ve been very fortunate, in that I opened a small hydropower one in Merthyr Tydfil, I visited the one that you refer to, and I mentioned in my initial answer to you that we’ve got 11 schemes up and running due to the working of the local community. I think there are some very passionate people out there who are very tenacious. It’s a...
