Lesley Griffiths: Yes, this has been a significant piece of work. I know my officials have been working very closely with the livestock identification advisory group on the proposals for the quarantine units and we do continue to work with our stakeholders on the delivery of the project. I think what the new arrangements will do is simplify the standstill regime by replacing complex exemptions for isolation...
Lesley Griffiths: I’m not aware that there’s anything missing. But if the Member thinks there is specifically, if she’d like to write to me, I’ll certainly look into it.
Lesley Griffiths: I am currently consulting on the review of the designated areas and action programme to tackle nitrate pollution in Wales and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, I intend to introduce new legislation next year. A full regulatory impact assessment will be produced at that time.
Lesley Griffiths: I don’t agree with that.
Lesley Griffiths: I think part of that work was done, and one of the reasons why we’ve gone out to consultation is on the back of that. I really would urge the Member and all constituents who’ve got an interest in this to take part in the consultation, because I’m very interested to hear people’s views. If other Members or their constituents have views around different approaches they think we could...
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government is keen to secure improvements in the opportunities available for people to access the outdoors. Full consideration of the range of issues raised by the earlier review is taking place but more work is needed before taking any decisions on potential new measures to increase access.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. You’ll be aware we had a significant number of responses to the Green Paper—I think it was approaching 6,000, if I remember rightly—so it’s taking some time to have a look at all of them. But I did recently provide national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty with an additional just over £0.5 million so that they could look at their priority outdoor recreations....
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely. Dr Lloyd makes a very important point there, I think. You’ll be aware that we had an assessment of the health benefits of walking on the Wales coastal path back in 2014, and that concluded the economic value associated with improved health through walking on the coastal path was £18.3 million back then. So, absolutely, we can fully appreciate that is the case. And, again,...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely, I recognise those concerns and you won’t be surprised that, in my portfolio, I get it from both sides. I think that is the absolute point: it’s about a balance between widening access and ensuring that we protect the environment also.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, that is obviously a very important piece of work and, at the moment, we are drawing together with local authorities the £150 million coastal-risk-management programme for that purpose.
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely I do. The Act doesn’t sit within my portfolio—it sits within Rebecca Evans’s—but I’d be very happy to do some further work with Rebecca on that issue.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The scientific literature review submitted earlier this year identified welfare considerations on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses and in corporate events, entertainment and educational settings. I’ve written to UK Ministers and I’m considering all options, and will make a statement before the Christmas recess.
Lesley Griffiths: I thank the Member for that question. Professor Harris identified in his report that a large number of captive wild animals are being used in, as I say, corporate entertainment and in educational settings. To be honest, that area concerns me more, because I think that we don’t know the numbers that are being used or anything about their welfare. You will have seen the approach taken in...
Lesley Griffiths: I haven’t considered introducing legislation. We are looking at the different codes of practice we have for different animals, and certainly it’s something that I’ve asked the chief veterinary officer and officials to monitor. But I’m very happy to look at the point you raised; I think that’s a very interesting point about, as you say, perpetrators with animals. I certainly will be...
Lesley Griffiths: I think the way society treats its animals says a lot about it, and I’ve just been over—. I was very pleased to sponsor the RSPCA event bringing forward awards for community work going on across our public sector in relation to animal welfare, and it’s clear we are a nation of animal lovers. I haven’t looked at bringing forward one piece of legislation. As I mentioned in my previous...
Lesley Griffiths: Natural Resources Wales await the outcome of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and police investigation into the cause of the fire. They are reviewing the site’s management systems including those for stockpiling waste and will be increasing inspections of the facility.
Lesley Griffiths: We did have a very good short debate brought forward by my colleague Huw Irranca-Davies, and other Assembly Members also contributed to it. I am going to meet with Huw Irranca-Davies. I came forward with some proposals, as did he, and I’m going to look at all options going forward.
Lesley Griffiths: I haven’t specifically looked at that, but I absolutely agree with you that change is needed and, as I say, those discussions will start now. I’ve asked officials to make this a priority, because, clearly, the short debate, I think, threw up a lot of issues that we need to address. But you have my assurance that we will be looking to change things going forward.
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely. I’m very happy to do that. It’s really important that the proposals we bring forward are appropriate and pertinent.
Lesley Griffiths: As I said in my answer to Suzy Davies, I absolutely accept change is needed. I know you participated in the short debate, so you will have heard my answers. So, we’re looking at all options going forward.
