Cefin Campbell: Thank you very much, Llywydd. Having raised with you at the end of the last parliamentary term the need to safeguard the bluefin tuna, I was very pleased to hear back from you, and I quote, saying:
Cefin Campbell: 'I am finalising details for a scientific tuna catch and release tagging pilot project in Wales in 2021.'
Cefin Campbell: Since then, I haven't heard or seen many of the details or dates from you, and the tuna fishing season has started since August. So, I would warmly welcome more details on these proposals. But there is a real need to take broader action on fisheries and aquaculture in Wales more generally. Having met, around a fortnight ago, with representatives of the Welsh Fishermen's Association, it's...
Cefin Campbell: I will conclude with this, Llywydd: expanding free school meals also gives us an opportunity to secure healthier foods for our children and to increase horticulture here in Wales. To conclude, therefore, free school meals for primary children would not only lead to better healthy eating patterns, reduce obesity, improve the ability to concentrate in the classroom and reduce the stigma...
Cefin Campbell: Plaid Cymru believes that all public procurement of food should prioritise the purchase of food produced in Wales. The provision of free school meals for primary children, with an emphasis on developing local supply chains, will support local farmers and growers, and local businesses. With a threat to the farming sector created by trade deals with countries like Australia, and the increased...
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...
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: 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: 6. Will the Minister make a statement on the financial support provided to the hospitality industry over recent months? OQ56745
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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...
