Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much, Joyce Watson. I think you're quite right: it's not just about food production, is it? It is about that social fabric. When I went out to New Zealand to see how they'd fared after they'd had that cliff edge that we will absolutely not have, where they stopped their direct support for farmers back in, I think it was 1983, that was the one thing they told me about, that they...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. You raise a very important point. We've seen, haven't we, how interconnected our agri-food chain is over the past—? Well, we'd seen it before, but certainly I think it has been very significantly profiled over the last few weeks. So, we've been working with the agricultural sector for several years around the issues you refer to, and back about three years ago, maybe four years...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and thank you for your words of support as well. It is really important that we continue to work very closely with our farmers. What I want to make sure is that what we are proposing is practical. So, it's important that all farm types are able to access the new scheme, so I think that is an important area of economic analysis for us too. In relation to your two specific questions,...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much, and you will have heard me say my views around the word 'active'. I thought it was very important to have in the statement, and very important that it is our active farmers who are rewarded for their work. I don't disagree with anything you were saying about Farming Connect. The reason I have put that funding forward is because I know how much it is appreciated that we...
Lesley Griffiths: Huw Irranca-Davies keeps floating this cake and tea past me every week. Yes, I'd certainly be very happy to come and visit. I did some fantastic farm visits over the summer and, as you say, everybody is really keen to show off the innovative work they're doing in relation to, particularly, reversing the biodiversity decline as well as mitigation against the climate and nature emergencies. ...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Cefin Campbell, and for your welcoming words as well to the statement. I said that we would be continuing BPS until the end of 2023. I didn't say that would be the end; what I was trying to give was some stability to our farming sector, because, previous to today, I had not announced that it would continue in 2023. So, you're talking about 2024—as I say, this is all down to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and thank you for your positive words in relation to the statement, and I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you last week, but I’m sure you’ll appreciate, obviously, that things were being worked up ahead of the statement today. But I am very pleased that we’ve been able to put such significant funding into Glastir contracts, and I know how warmly welcomed it has been by many of...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. As set out in our programme for government, tackling the climate and nature emergencies are a priority for this Government. We will create a new system of farm support to maximise the protective power of nature through farming and the agriculture Bill is key to meeting these ambitions. Future farm support will reward active farmers who take action to meet the challenges of...
Lesley Griffiths: Whilst of course I am extremely sorry to hear that somebody had to wait nine hours—I assume it was for an ambulance; I assume that's what you were saying—but you will accept that our ambulance service, and I think we should pay a huge tribute to our ambulance staff, they are dealing with unprecedented pressures. You have to remember that every time they respond to a call they have to do...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, I absolutely agree with the Member around the saga that we've certainly seen unfold. I think what we've seen from the UK Government is a complete lack of long-term planning; they're very good on short-term slogans, but they are not good on long-term planning, and that's what we need to see. You'll be aware of the carbon dioxide issue at the moment, with our abattoirs concerned that they...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. So, we are finalising the timetable for the introduction of regulations to make the COVID pass compulsory for use in certain settings in Wales from 11 October. So, there will certainly be an opportunity.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. As you will be aware, the Welsh Government gave the most generous support package to our businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. We had the unique economic resilience fund. Obviously, I can't comment on an individual case, and I would advise you, if you do feel—. Whilst, obviously, we couldn't help every business, we were very keen that businesses didn't fall through the various...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. You are quite right, they were certainly shocking scenes, and I know the Minister for Social Justice has worked very closely with the police to ensure that lessons are learnt, and particularly worked in relation to community cohesion. If the Minister has anything further to update us on following the previous one, I will certainly ask her to do so.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, I'm certainly very happy to wish them penblwydd hapus. As you know, this Government is absolutely committed to a very strong and sustainable steel sector, and you'll probably be aware that the Minister for Economy, in his very first engagement in the portfolio, attended a meeting with the Steel Council, and I know he has visited Shotton recently with you. The Minister for Economy did...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, unfortunately, the area to which you refer suffered severe flooding in February 2020, just ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I'm aware of a great deal of work that has been carried out by NRW and the local authority. I will certainly ask the Minister to write to you to update you in relation to the specific question you asked.
Lesley Griffiths: I'm sure that you're aware that the Minister for education works very closely with our schools and our headteachers. The Welsh Government, when we bring forward any policy or guidance, follow the latest public health advice. If that should change, the Minister for education will obviously update Members.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. It certainly appeared to be a very senseless act of vandalism and I think it's really shocked and saddened many of the local communities in the area. As you say, in response to the climate emergency, we need to be planting more trees. The Welsh Government is working with Cardiff Council and South Wales Police partners; they've added their voice to urge anyone who has any...
Lesley Griffiths: The Member is incorrect. There was no Welsh Government sponsorship of the trade fair that you referred to.FootnoteLink
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think you raise a very important point; the gratitude that we have for our veterans should never be forgotten. You'll be aware of the significant support that the Welsh Government does provide for our veterans. The specific question you were asking regarding a 24/7 support line I know is something the Deputy Minister, who is in the Chamber and heard your question, is considering.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. I have no changes to announce to this week's business. Draft business for the next three sitting weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
