Samuel Kurtz: Llywydd, earlier this week, I met with the Welsh Wool Alliance and local Pembrokeshire knitwear manufacturer Monkstone to discuss the huge potential that is Wales's wool industry. As it stands, the UK-wide wool industry generates the fourth largest wool clip in the world, with Wales contributing over one third of wool to this figure. Through the support of 6,000 Welsh farmers, we generate...
Samuel Kurtz: 7. How is the Welsh Government supporting the local economy in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire? OQ59222
Samuel Kurtz: First Minister, I have many happy memories from working aboard the Stena Europe and the Lynx sailing from Fishguard to Rosslare in the early 2010s when I was still a student. Much of the chatter and the talk below deck and in the galley then was that the consolidation of the two ports in Pembrokeshire was to be forthcoming in that time. Since then, in the last month, we've heard Irish Ferries...
Samuel Kurtz: I'm grateful for advance sight of this afternoon's statement and I refer Members to my register of interests. It's vital that we are exceptionally clear about the risks that AMR, antimicrobial resistance, poses to modern society, be that on farm or in a healthcare setting. This risk poses an existential threat to both humans and animals, and so we must ensure that this Government is...
Samuel Kurtz: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I thank the Minister for his statement on the net-zero skills strategy. Prior to the statement, I took the time to read through the 'Stronger, fairer, greener Wales: a plan for employability and skills' action plan and the annexe, 'Skills emission sector overview and cross-cutting themes'. I was disappointed to find no mention of Pembrokeshire or Pembrokeshire College,...
Samuel Kurtz: I'm pleased to hear that the Welsh Government is committed to reducing the use of harmful pesticides, particularly when a threat is posed to human health, but science, technology and innovation can be the answer here, and that's why I was left frustrated that consent was not given to the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill. This legislation can aid our resilience against some of the...
Samuel Kurtz: It's a shame that those full procurement rules weren't followed when Gilestone Farm was purchased. It seems it's one rule for one and one rule for another. Another example of the Welsh Government not being on the same pitch as farmers is that not one Welsh farm took part in the Animal and Plant Health Agency's CattleBCG vaccine trial. Surely if Welsh Government were serious about eradicating...
Samuel Kurtz: Thank you, Minister. I don't think what I described would be the best way forward, so I really do urge you to have a look at this again. I know a new CVO is starting in March, and I would urge you to work with him to make sure that this inhumane practice is brought to an end and those cows can calve with a little bit of dignity. At last year's Pembrokeshire County Show, you helped launched...
Samuel Kurtz: Diolch, Llywydd. Every year for the last five years, over 10,000 cattle have been slaughtered. Over 50,000 dead due to bovine TB in Wales, and this includes pregnant cows slaughtered due to testing TB positive. A farmer recounted to me the time they watched their heavily pregnant cow slaughtered on farm, using a 12-bore shotgun between the poor animal's eyes, the trigger was pulled. Post...
Samuel Kurtz: How is the Welsh Government seeking to improve access to urban community green spaces across Wales?
Samuel Kurtz: I thank the Member for her intervention, and it's in a similar vein to the Member in front of me for Ogmore's interventions—'Why do we need these? These things can be done anyway.' But I think that's missing the point in terms of what this does. It's a catalyst. Yes, it's potentially possible that these industries can thrive and survive without a free-port bid and without the benefits that...
Samuel Kurtz: I'm always very grateful to bang the drum for something that I'm passionate about in this Chamber, and I've rewritten this speech about four or five times in my head, having listened to contributions this afternoon, and knowing the glare that the Deputy Presiding Officer gave me only a few weeks ago, I will be conscious to keep my contribution positive and upbeat this afternoon. But it will...
Samuel Kurtz: I'm very grateful to you, Minister, for that answer. Since the introduction of the Curriculum for Wales, the Welsh Government has emphasised that the purpose of pupil assessment is to inform the way that teachers support pupils. However, the lack of an identifiable and clear assessment framework has left one local headteacher in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire concerned about the...
Samuel Kurtz: Minister, one of the best ways of increasing the use of the Welsh language is to encourage its use in informal settings. Working with organisations such as the Young Farmers across Carmarthenshire could be a key part of ensuring that we meet the target of Cymraeg 2050. I recently raised with the Minister for rural affairs the fact that the only financial support that the Young Farmers receive...
Samuel Kurtz: 3. Will the Minister provide an update on the roll-out of the Welsh Government's Curriculum for Wales? OQ59074
Samuel Kurtz: As always, I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to contribute in this afternoon's debate. We will be voting in favour of the general principles of this Bill. As has already been mentioned, this is a landmark piece of legislation for Wales's agricultural community. For the first time ever, Wales is set to benefit from having its first Welsh-born, Welsh-bred agricultural legislation,...
Samuel Kurtz: Shifting focus onto the welfare of non-domestic animals, I'm sure you'll be aware in your role as rural affairs Minister that otters and foxes have been designated as carriers of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1. According to Animal and Plant Health Agency data, 66 mammals have been tested to date for the disease, with nine otters and foxes being found positive. It appears that...
Samuel Kurtz: I certainly welcome the opportunity to speak on both BVD and sheep scab, two devastating diseases that rightfully require the attention of the Welsh Government. I'm pleased to hear the number of announcements you've made this afternoon, Minister, and welcome those that will help support the agricultural community in their own efforts to fight against these disorders, so thank you. Your...
Samuel Kurtz: Minister, it appears that I am rehearsing this point in all statements on the Welsh language. I share your ambition for our language. I want to see it prosper across Wales, be that in the classroom, on the high street, or at the office desk. But, to do this, we must bring everyone with us on this shared journey, and we can do that by developing policies that see that all levels of government,...
Samuel Kurtz: As has been established, Welsh in education strategic plans are a Welsh Government mechanism in place to ensure that all 22 local authorities are taking decisions in the interests of the Welsh Government's own objectives and targets, in this case, 'Cymraeg 2050'. Local authorities submit their WESPs to Welsh Government, who decide if they are satisfactory or not. Once deemed satisfactory, the...
