Lesley Griffiths: Well, I think the guidance provided by NRW is very clear. As you say, we do have affordable homes targets, social homes targets, and it's very important that the planning information and the technical advice notes are there to assist. So, I don't think really that it's necessary to have a further debate in Welsh Government time.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The Member refers to two very specific issues, which I'm not aware of, and obviously those decisions have been taken. On a more general point, I think it is very important that planning information, and also the way that Cadw do list buildings, is transparent, and I will ask the Minister—the Deputy Minister, sorry—if there is anything further that she's able to give you in...
Lesley Griffiths: I can assure the Member, and all Members, that the Welsh Government is doing all it can to protect the people of Wales from the devastating, I think, impact of leaving the European Union. And certainly, the issues that you raised around trade and logistics are topics that we discuss at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs inter-ministerial group. The next one I will be...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. And, as you say, it certainly is one of the most devastating cancers that we have. I'm not aware of the drug to which you refer, but the Minister does have questions that you're able to table this week and I would urge you to do that.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. As a Government, we very much welcome the publication of the full Holden report and we endorse the recommendations of the recent Public Services Ombudsman for Wales review into the care of a patient treated at the Hergest unit in 2013. We note that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has accepted all the recommendations and will ensure that these are implemented at pace. The...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. I’ve added two statements to today’s agenda. These are second homes and affordability by the Minister for Climate Change, and the Welsh language communities housing plan by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and the Member raises a really important point, and I’ve certainly had a look at that report, and you’ll be very aware, as a Government, we’re already committed to developing a community food strategy, which was in our manifesto, and was partly based on that report, about empowering community-led action, making the food system better connected with citizens, and creating a...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. I thank Peter Fox for bringing his proposed Bill today, and I welcome the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Welsh Government. I met with Peter to discuss his proposals and I was impressed by his passion for this agenda, which he has just displayed again. I hope this debate can be part of an ongoing conversation about the ways we can work together to bring about the aspirations...
Lesley Griffiths: Welsh Government continues to work with producers and other external stakeholders in the Vale of Clwyd to promote food and drink using a wide range of business programmes, and recently Blas Cymru, our signature event for Wales. We work with the UK Government on many areas that are advantageous for Welsh businesses.
Lesley Griffiths: I think we did it through Blas Cymru. That's where we bring the world to Wales. Whilst we couldn't do it in the physical form that we've previously been able to do it in 2017 and 2019, when we held Blas Cymru last month, we had, obviously, lots of virtual meetings. Obviously, the Vale of Clwyd Denbigh plum was granted protected designation of origin status in 2019, so we worked very closely...
Lesley Griffiths: I recognise some of the issues that the Member refers to and I do think that tenant farms are often a stepping stone for our young farmers, who we really want to encourage into the sector. You will have heard my answer earlier around the work that we've done with the UK Government-led tenancy reform industry group. As I say, there are some powers within the UK Agriculture Act that was brought...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, back in, I think it was, 2019, we did consult around tenant farms and, obviously, the tenants on them, and we wanted to look at encouraging longer term lets. Respondents were very supportive of the aim, although I think it’s fair to say that it was also highlighted that it might not bring forward the intended effect that you referred to. We do have a DEFRA-led tenancy...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. It’s horrific to hear of the number of cases that the Member refers to, and I do want to pay tribute to the RSPCA and other charities and organisations who do an incredible amount of work in relation to this. My officials have worked very closely with local authority enforcement officers to see what we can do to improve training for them to, obviously, go out and when they’re...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The Welsh Government is committed to protecting both the tenanted and owned sectors of the Welsh agricultural industry. Tenancy agreements are contracts entered into by both landlord and tenant. Welsh Government will continue to work to ensure the legislation underpinning agricultural tenancies is fair to both parties.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. I launched our animal welfare plan for Wales on 4 November, which builds on our achievements since the devolution of animal welfare powers in 2006. It outlines how we will take forward the animal welfare commitments in our programme for government, and other measures to further improve animal welfare across Wales.
Lesley Griffiths: So, you appear to be quite critical of my earlier answer around my meetings with the farming unions last week. It was them that told me that it was anecdotal, and they offered to bring forward the further evidence. You say that there is an increasing number of concerns, and I agree with you—there is certainly a perception out there. Now, whether it is just a perception doesn't matter,...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. We are aware of a small number of woodland-creation projects on land purchased by investors. These projects have not been planted, so it is not yet possible to assess their impact. However, we recognise the concerns and want farmers to play a central role in our woodland creation.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. So, it is in the programme for government. That did include that commitment to ban the use of snares in Wales. As I say, I will be looking to bring it forward in the agriculture Bill, which is in our first-year legislative programme. I am loath to give a month; I tend to use seasons when I say that something is coming forward, but I certainly hope to bring it forward in early...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The programme for government includes a commitment to ban the use of snares in Wales. My intention is it should be contained, along with provisions relating to the use of glue traps, in the agriculture Bill that the Government will bring before the Senedd in our first-year legislative programme.
