Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. You've clearly met with the correct stakeholders. Obviously, Natural Resources Wales and local authorities have got a range of powers and enforcement tools to address the environmental impacts you referred to and, clearly, you've raised your concerns with them. I'm very happy to meet with the Member. It would be good also, I think, to have a joint meeting with the Minister for...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The Welsh Government is committed to supporting all businesses in Wales. Business Wales and Farming Connect support farm businesses to become more efficient, profitable and resilient. Support is tailored according to customer need and the different regions of Wales, dependent on requirements.
Lesley Griffiths: As I said in my earlier answer to Vikki Howells, this is a matter for the Minister for Climate Change, but I think, in light of the recent court judgment, that is something she will consider carefully, ensuring that there is a permanent ban on trail hunting by those responsible for publicly owned land in Wales.
Lesley Griffiths: I disagree with the majority of what the Member said, and no, I won't meet with him, because, as I say, this is a matter for the Minister for Climate Change.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, that would be a matter for the Minister for Climate Change, but I know—I've had discussions with her and, certainly, in light of the recent court judgment, this is something that she will consider carefully, but I believe the Welsh Government would support the consideration of a permanent ban on trail hunting by those responsible for publicly owned land in Wales.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Natural Resources Wales falls under the Minister for Climate Change's remit. However, its decision to ban trail hunting on the Welsh Government woodland estate was a matter for them, and the Welsh Government has made no assessment of the impact on animal welfare of such a ban.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I'm not able to give you a specific time, because this is an ongoing piece of work. I did meet with the Tenant Farmers Association at the winter fair, again—I took the opportunity to meet with quite a few people face to face last month—and I agree with you; I think there are lots of issues with tenant farmers that you don't get with, obviously, farmers that own the land...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I met with the mental health charities in the agricultural sector at the winter fair myself, and it was representatives of, I think, about six of them, where we did discuss, obviously, the challenges they are—. You'll appreciate it's very hard to give long-term commitments—I'm not sure what you mean by 'long term'—but certainly I intend to continue to support them, both...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think Llyr Huws Gruffydd makes a really important point about a shortage of vets. And I would add to the list that you've mentioned, in relation to leaving the European Union and Brexit, the avian influenza outbreak that, unfortunately, we have across the UK. We've now got 52 cases, and you can imagine the veterinary capacity that the AI outbreaks are taking also. I was very...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely. I'm looking at what we can do in relation to that, just as I'm looking at microchipping cats as well. And once I respond to the correspondence that Sam Kurtz refers to, I'll be very happy to share that.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Yes, I was absolutely appalled to see the programme that you referred to. Ear cropping of dogs is illegal, it's unnecessary and I'm sure it's incredibly painful and there are no welfare or health benefits for the dog. It's carried out only, really, for cosmetic reasons, to make the dogs look tougher, and I just think it is absolutely abhorrent. The forthcoming Animal Welfare...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and I would like to wish Sam Kurtz and all Members a very peaceful and happy Christmas and best wishes for next year. This actually sits, as you say, within the portfolio of the Minister for Climate Change and was announced by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change. I hold the purse strings for some, but not all, and the policy that you just referred to that was announced by the...
Lesley Griffiths: So, the food and drink industry will continue to receive significant funding through the RDP until that programme ends in 2023. Unfortunately, 'no' is the short answer to your question. Wales will lose out over £106 million of replacement EU funding for rural development over the spending review period. That's on top of the £137 million that I didn't receive from the UK Government during...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you to Jack Sargeant. I'm very pleased you are reconvening the group in the new year, and of course I'll be very happy to come along and to support you in whatever way I can. As you say, in our part of north-east Wales we have several microbreweries, breweries and, obviously, many local pubs that sell those beers and ales, so it is really very good to be able to say once again to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to agree with you about what a good time of year it is to buy our wonderful Welsh food and drink. It's always good, and it was great to be at the winter fair last month, and see the food hall, and see people literally queuing up outside for a long time to be able to buy Welsh food and drink once again at the Royal Welsh showground. I...
Lesley Griffiths: Welsh Government continues to support our food and drink producers in north Wales to promote food and drink using a wide range of business programmes. North Wales producers were at our recent BlasCymru signature event, and I recently launched the new vision for the food and drink industry setting out how sustainable growth can be achieved.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and I absolutely understand the stress and distress that that would cause a farmer and his or her family. I don't believe it's a widespread issue that you refer to, but of course, I'd be very happy to ask the chief veterinary officer and her team of officials to have a look into it.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The Government communicates with farming businesses through regular correspondence and information releases, including updates on disease incidence and trend by area. Farmers are offered Cymorth TB veterinary advice visits and are encouraged to use online services such as the TB dashboard and ibTB to better understand the risk to their businesses.
Lesley Griffiths: Our actions to address agricultural pollution include partnership working, knowledge transfer services, good practice guidance, enforcement and financial support. On 27 January this year, I introduced the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 and initial measures came into force on 1 April.
Lesley Griffiths: I made an oral statement in the Senedd on 16 November that provided an update on the TB eradication programme. In that statement, I also launched a consultation on enhanced measures to inform a refresh of the programme.
