Lesley Griffiths: So, the Welsh Government have provided significant funding to Hybu Cig Cymru. We've worked very closely with them to ensure that we are able to promote our beef and lamb right around the world. Clearly, since the COVID-19 pandemic, we haven't been able to undertake the number of trade visits that we would normally do, although we have done some virtual ones. But, hopefully, we'll be able to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Welsh Government officials have worked very closely with our industry stakeholders and other devolved administrations so that we've been able to assess the potential impacts from all ongoing trade negotiations, and obviously that includes the agreement with Australia. I have to say, the entire five years since the European Union referendum, back in June 2016, we have made these...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. We've worked closely with industry stakeholders to identify any potential impacts on the Welsh agricultural sector. This work underpinned our representations to the UK Government, stating any trade deal must not disadvantage Welsh farmers or compromise our high standards.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, at present, no formal offer has been presented to the Welsh Government on a proposed Welsh freeport. But we have been absolutely clear that we cannot accept the proposal that a Welsh freeport would receive just £8 million in financial support while every freeport in England gets £25 million. I'm sure the Member would agree that's completely unacceptable. And Welsh Ministers did write...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. And as you know, we had a brief conversation, I think the last time we met in the Senedd; I'd be very happy to have a further meeting with you. Obviously, the Food Technology Centre in Llangefni is somewhere where we've explored this, and it is absolutely essential that you have the purpose-built units to which you refer, so that we can encourage further innovation. That's a...
Lesley Griffiths: Last month the £20 million expansion of Mona Island Dairy, backed by Welsh Government funding, was announced. The Welsh Government continues to promote the food and drink sector, and producers from Ynys Môn will have the opportunity to take part in our international showcase, Blas Cymru, later this year.
Lesley Griffiths: I published an agriculture White Paper last December setting out my proposals for an agriculture (Wales) Bill. The First Minister will make an announcement on the legislative programme before the summer recess.
Lesley Griffiths: As EU rural development programme funding ends, we are considering the future of Glastir in the context of new replacement domestic funds and the transition to our proposed sustainable farming scheme.
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government is committed to supporting all businesses in Wales. Business Wales and Farming Connect supports farm businesses to become more efficient, profitable and resilient. Support is tailored according to customer need and the different regions of Wales, dependant on requirements.
Lesley Griffiths: Animal health and welfare is a priority for the Welsh Government and the Wales animal health and welfare framework Group. The Wales animal health and welfare framework, launched in 2014, sets out our 10-year overarching plan for making improvements in standards of animal health and welfare.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very, very much. And I'm sure—. I hear what you say about the Counsel General's speech, and I'm sure he will share his speech with us at the most appropriate time, but we won't be able to bring forward an oral statement ahead of the speech, but I will—and he's sitting in the Chamber with me—I will make sure he shares his speech with you. In relation to your comments around...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Huw Irranca-Davies, for highlighting the wonderful work that our hospices do, and they do provide incredibly important services, and they provide enormous support for patients and families and carers. You may have heard the leader of the opposition raise this issue with the First Minister and the First Minister's answer. And we do continue to invest more than £8.4 million every...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The GoSafe service is certainly something that is very valued. I'm not aware of any ongoing discussions around further funding being required, or how the Welsh Government would support that. But I will certainly ask the Minister if there is anything specific, and, if he has any further information, I'll ask him to write to the Member.FootnoteLink
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. I think the visitor season is well under way here in Wales. This has always been something that has been talked about and thought about when conversations are held around budgeting. So, I don't think there's a need for a statement, and I don't think there's a need for a specific budget—it is part of the overall budgets that are received by our health boards and by our services.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. As you recognise, the criminal justice system is not devolved to Wales, but of course we work very closely with all police forces in Wales and with our criminal justice partners here in Wales. You'll be aware of the significant support that has been provided by the Welsh Government over the past decade at least, and if not before. And we won't be bystanders to abuse, and we have...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I absolutely agree that in-school learning is very important, and this is obviously the first time we've had a whole-school closure, unfortunately. I'm afraid, as this pandemic has gone on, I think, many times, the virus has been one step ahead, and, just when you think you are able to do things, we have not been able to do so. The Minister for education is obviously having a...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much. I think it's fair to say that progress on the plan has been slower than we initially hoped for, due to the impact of the COVID pandemic. But work is under way to ensure that we do have a draft period dignity strategic action plan refreshed, and that will be published again later this year. There is a whole raft of cross-Welsh Government commitments in that plan, and that...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The Member raises a very important issue, and certainly, when I had responsibility for this in the previous term of Government, it was a piece of work that we were doing with the UK Government to see what more could be done. You'll be aware that the Minister for Climate Change, along with the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, are currently doing a deep dive around tree...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. I've added two statements to today's agenda. The Minister for Health and Social Services will make a statement update on coronavirus, and the Deputy Minister for Climate Change will make a statement: 'Roads review'. 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 Members...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, this is something where, obviously, the health Minister will be talking to the relevant dental associations. I know that some dentists are doing increasingly more work, but as we see how the delta variant continues to unfortunately spread in Wales, I think some dentists have had to take a step back. But, at the most appropriate time, obviously, guidance and more information...
