Lesley Griffiths: I can. I was in committee this morning, and Simon will have heard me say this, but I was in Morrisons in Wrexham on Saturday, and, as you know, I visited Puffin Produce in Pembroke over the summer, where they have their very recognisable packaging. So, I bought leeks and new potatoes, and I also bought a cauliflower—that’s three. I bought some Welsh lamb. I’m trying to think of the...
Lesley Griffiths: I haven’t had that discussion since I came into portfolio, but I know my officials are actively having those discussions not just across the devolved administrations, but also with the UK Government.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, my officials are constantly monitoring the effect of UK Government energy policy to ensure that the sector can continue to deliver for Wales. I think there has been a lack of progress because of that change in support that we’ve seen coming from the UK Government. We’re looking at models that can support renewable energy development to continue. So, for example, Welsh...
Lesley Griffiths: Absolutely. I think that’s a really important point in relation to the issue we have with it. I’m really delighted to hear about the very collaborative approach that you had in your scheme in Pembrokeshire. I think it’s an easy way of improving the quality of our environment, just one piece at a time. Two minutes isn’t a great deal of time to ask people to volunteer. So, while that is...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The Welsh Government Local Energy service launched in January of this year, supporting renewable energy projects delivering local benefit. Our ongoing support since 2010 has helped communities deliver eight completed schemes. Eight more are currently under construction, with a further nine to be constructed by the end of 2017.
Lesley Griffiths: I refer the Member to my two previous answers. Whether Conwy council have four-weekly, three-weekly, two-weekly collections is a matter for Conwy council. I don’t tell them what to do. Welsh Government doesn’t tell them what to do. In relation to local authorities and the 0.2 per cent, as I say, littering is a crime and it’s up to local authorities to make sure that they use all their...
Lesley Griffiths: We certainly don’t want to see an increase in fly-tipping, and I commend you for organising a litter taskforce. As I say, I think we’ve got a really good news story to tell on recycling. It’s up to local authorities how they organise their collection of rubbish and recycling and it’s also up to local authorities how they enforce the laws in relation to litter, because it is a crime to...
Lesley Griffiths: It’s not for me to explain to the people of Anglesey why they’re going to three-weekly rubbish collections; that’s for Anglesey council to explain. However, you’ll be aware that this is recycling week, and if people are recycling properly, bearing in mind we have weekly recycling collections—I think we’ve got a very good story to tell on recycling in Wales; we’re the fourth best...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Action to prevent littering is focused on both enforcement programmes and collaboration across key partner organisations working to change public attitudes and behaviour through community involvement and education. Encouraging people to take pride in their local environment and to take action themselves will lead to stronger and longer lasting improvements.
Lesley Griffiths: On 28 July, I issued a written statement on the publication of the Wales animal health and welfare framework implementation plan 2016-17. The plan includes priorities for the coming 12 months and actions for delivery. These have been agreed in partnership with the Wales animal health and welfare framework group.
Lesley Griffiths: I refer Members to the statement I sent to all Assembly Members yesterday concerning the consultation process on proposed measures to improve air quality across Wales. In parallel to this, my officials will continue to work closely with local authorities, industrial operators and regulators across Wales to improve air quality.
Lesley Griffiths: The provisional figures for the year 2015-16 show Wales has reached 60 per cent recycling. We have the highest recycling rate in the UK, great news in National Recycling Week. It is testament to the commitment of our local councils and residents of Wales and to the policies of the Welsh Government.
Lesley Griffiths: I am working closely with the industry to develop a distinctly Welsh agricultural policy to ensure the long-term prosperity of Wales’s farming communities post exit. A series of workshops with a wide range of stakeholders have been held to consider the risks and opportunities as well as the way forward for Wales.
Lesley Griffiths: We are working to support the farming industry to become more profitable, sustainable, resilient, and professionally managed. Practical support is delivered through schemes such as Farming Connect, the rural development programme and Glastir. The strategic partnership group is currently developing a road map for agriculture to deliver our shared vision.
Lesley Griffiths: I welcome this report and the findings it contains. It provides five recommendations to further improve coastal policy and programme, all of which I have accepted. Work to address these is already ongoing through improvements to our project guidance and establishment of a new flood and coastal erosion committee.
Lesley Griffiths: I thank Paul Davies for his series of questions. Just picking up on your first point regarding the TB eradication programme, I have committed to bringing forward a statement in the autumn on the way forward. We will continue to have a science-led approach and, over the summer, there is a significant amount of work going on in relation to our programme. I used the example of bluetongue to...
Lesley Griffiths: I think the principle of infectious disease control—and this applies to all diseases and this is the message that we give to our livestock keepers and farmers—is that you keep infection out, you find it quickly, you stop it spreading, and, if you do have it, you stamp it out, and that’s certainly the message that we will be taking forward on all of these diseases and our contingency plans.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Simon Thomas, for those questions. In relation to vaccination, I mentioned there is a vaccine available and it is the only effective tool to protect susceptible animals from bluetongue. The best time to vaccinate is early in the year, before the warm weather comes, which I know we’re still, perhaps, waiting for. That will then provide protection. So, I think that sort of work was...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Chair. Animal disease outbreaks are devastating for all concerned and can have wide and costly consequences for animal and public health, the economy and the environment. Ensuring a state of preparedness for an incursion of an exotic notifiable animal disease, therefore, is a priority. Suspicion of an exotic notifiable animal disease, such as foot and mouth disease or bluetongue,...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes.
