Cefin Campbell: Thank you very much, Llywydd, and congratulations to you on your re-election and congratulations to the First Minister too. My question is this: would the First Minister agree with me that there are particular economic challenges facing rural communities in Wales that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency? He, of course, will be aware that income levels per capita and skills levels in...
Cefin Campbell: Given that the NVZ regulations were rushed through the Senedd shortly before the last election, contrary to the pledge made by the Minister—and we've heard reference to this; she said that she wouldn't introduce regulations during the pandemic—I'm very grateful for this opportunity to recommence this important debate early in this new Senedd term. When I was campaigning in rural areas,...
Cefin Campbell: Minister, we shouldn't look back at ideas that were being discussed about 30 years ago for a solution to water pollution. We have to look to the future by embracing technology to make far more accurate choices around land management. As you know, there are examples of innovative projects being carried out as we speak, where farmers and researchers are working together to devise a far more...
Cefin Campbell: Minister, your Government has generally been praised by the people of Wales for the way in which you've tackled this pandemic because you followed the science as the basis for your decisions. So, I urge you to turn to the science and the technology currently available in order to secure that crucial balance between sustainable farming and safeguarding the environment. As we support this...
Cefin Campbell: —I am coming to an end, Deputy Presiding Officer—and I know what an impact pollution can have on water quality. No, this is a demand for proportionate action from Government that is targeted with adequate financial support. So, to conclude, Deputy Presiding Officer, I urge the Government to look again at the recommendations made by Natural Resources Wales to increase the area of the NVZ...
Cefin Campbell: Thank you very much for the statement, Deputy Minister. I agree with the main principles contained within it and the objectives set out in terms of tackling the huge challenges of climate change. But I must express my disappointment today on behalf of the people of Llandeilo with your statement, which ceases the work on the bypass for the town. As one who lives two or three miles from...
Cefin Campbell: Deputy Minister, you will be aware that the need for a bypass in Llandeilo isn't something recent; the people of Llandeilo have been crying out for this for over 50 years. The case in my view is clear; it's been won. Indeed, the Welsh Government agreed in 2016 to fund this bypass as part of a package deal agreed with Plaid Cymru at the time. Since then, we've had numerous Welsh Government...
Cefin Campbell: So, the question is: what's your message for the people of Llandeilo today, who have been let down once again by the Government, and how do you intend to plan to meet their hopes and aspirations in terms of clean air in the town, and traffic safety for those walking on pavements in the town too? Thank you.
Cefin Campbell: Thank you very much, Llywydd. And may I congratulate you too on your reappointment as Minister? And I look forward to developing a constructive relationship with you over the coming years. I too am going to continue the theme of the RDP, if I may? There's been a great deal of coverage over the past few months to fully funding the rural development plan, and that plan, as we all know, is...
Cefin Campbell: Thank you very much. I hope that you won't be like John Redwood, taking pride in the fact that we would be sending Welsh funding back to the Treasury. The second question: tree planting on farmland. Another important issue for our rural communities is plans for tree planting on farmland. Recently, I met with representatives from Myddfai Community Council in Carmarthenshire and some local...
Cefin Campbell: Diolch yn fawr iawn. I absolutely agree that planting trees is important, but it's the right tree in the right place and for the right reason. So, my final question—
Cefin Campbell: —in Welsh: clearly, the main focus of the work of Government and the Senedd over the next few years in relation to rural issues will be the introduction of a new agriculture Bill for Wales. The multiple challenges facing rural areas in Wales and the agricultural sector mean that we need to draw a new context for agriculture in Wales and to ensure a far more prosperous future for farming....
Cefin Campbell: I'd like to raise a matter that the Trefnydd will be familiar with in her ministerial role. Over the past few weeks and months, her counterparts in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England have worked with partners in the sector to create a catch-and-release programme for Atlantic bluefin tuna, which has become prominent in the seas around the Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion coasts, which is good...
Cefin Campbell: 5. What discussions has the Counsel General had with the legal sector regarding the impact of legislation and guidance on phosphate levels in riverine special areas of conservation? OQ56692
Cefin Campbell: Thank you for that response. I understand that the regulations that impact on rivers in special areas of conservation emanate from the 2017 UK Government conservation of habitats regulations. Despite that, many rural areas feel very frustrated about the way in which this guidance has been introduced, with scant consultation or discussion prior to its implementation with local authorities and...
Cefin Campbell: In the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency, the A40 between Carmarthen and St Clears is one of the most dangerous roads in Wales. Between January 2010 and August 2019, there were 359 accidents on that road, with about a quarter of them leading to injuries, including the death of a four-year-old girl. The same stretch of road has seen two incidents over the last year, with the...
Cefin Campbell: 6. Will the Minister make a statement on the financial support provided to the hospitality industry over recent months? OQ56745
Cefin Campbell: Thank you, Minister. You will remember that I wrote to you on the issue in terms of the lack of funding available to the hospitality sector for April specifically. In your letter to me on 25 June, you note, and I do quote, that 'the financial support package for Welsh businesses has continued throughout April and into May.' However, businesses in my region tell me that this is not right....
Cefin Campbell: May I take this opportunity to congratulate Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, which is now called Mudiad Meithrin, on celebrating its fiftieth anniversary? This is quite the milestone for the most important organisation we have in terms of providing early years education through the medium of Welsh. Mudiad Meithrin was established 50 years ago to do two things: to represent and give voice to the...
Cefin Campbell: In a post-COVID-19 world, providing free school meals should be more of a priority than ever before, because it helps our society to build back better. Effective school food programmes can help our children not only during the first 1,000 days of their lives, but also the next 7,000 days on their journey toward adulthood. And we've heard this fact previously from Luke Fletcher, but I will...
