Lesley Griffiths: I would turn that question around and say, 'How can they not afford to do this?' I have always maintained we would provide support, both financial and practical. There will be a phased approach for these regulations, and, as I said, many of the farmers are already abiding by these regulations. For many, it won't be any different at all. You may be aware of the dairy project that Natural...
Lesley Griffiths: I'm astounded Janet Finch-Saunders thinks the voluntary approach has worked. Over the last 20 years, apart from 2009, we have had well over 100 agricultural pollutions every year—for 20 years. Now, I always believe people don't like being told what to do, and I always think any sector or any industry buys into regulations or legislation, or any other procedures, if they are part of that...
Lesley Griffiths: I do find it strange that Janet Finch-Saunders talks up her environmental credentials on one hand and then just puts them to one side when it comes to the agricultural sector. Why would you condone three agricultural pollution incidents every week, week after week, month after month, year after year? I am aware that I laid the draft regulations last April, and I pledged to continue to work...
Lesley Griffiths: Well, Welsh Government has made significant funding available this term. We've already met the commitment we did make at the beginning of this term of Government to invest in our flood defences, with over £390 million going into our flood and coastal erosion risk management over our two programmes. And I think it's fair to say that if it wasn't for that investment by the Welsh Government,...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. It is of great concern that 10 properties in Ruthin and five others in surrounding villages were flooded from storm Christoph. Denbighshire has three flood alleviation projects in development in the area, totalling £1.2 million, including a River Clwyd catchment scheme upstream of Ruthin. A £5.1 million project was completed in 2012.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I absolutely agree about the enthusiasm of communities when they have a small-scale renewable energy scheme in their area. Certainly, one of my happiest days in this portfolio was when I opened a very small hydro scheme up in Corwen, in north Wales, where a lady told me very proudly that every time she switched her kettle on, she knew she was contributing, from the scheme that had...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Welsh Government has set a positive policy framework to encourage small-scale renewable energy generation. The energy plans we are developing identify our future power, heat and transport needs. The Welsh Government energy service provides support to communities and the public sector to deliver new renewable generation to meet those needs.
Lesley Griffiths: The draft Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021 will be debated on 23 March. The regulations prohibit the commercial third party selling of puppies and kittens in Wales. This is one of several measures we are working on to improve the welfare of cats and dogs in Wales.
Lesley Griffiths: Last week, I laid regulations to tackle agricultural pollution across Wales. I also launched our new litter and fly-tipping prevention plan to tackle the ongoing issue of litter and fly-tipping. It is vital we continue to respond to the climate and biodiversity emergencies.
Lesley Griffiths: In Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, the Welsh Government is investing more than £1.7 million into projects that promote the sustainable management of natural resources. As mentioned earlier, last week I announced new regulations to tackle agricultural pollution. Over 40 waterbody catchments in the region fail to meet good status.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm pleased to be responding to today's debate. The last 12 months have been extremely challenging, in terms of impact on our communities of multiple flood events across Wales and, of course, the global pandemic. Last week we once again witnessed the damage flooding can cause, as a result of storm Christoph, with around 250 properties flooded....
Lesley Griffiths: Formally.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much, Chair. I move the motion. The Official Controls (Animals, Feed and Food, Plant Health Fees etc.) (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 came into force on implementation period completion day, made by powers conferred to Welsh Ministers under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, in order to make the following amendments. Minor technical amendments were...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Chair. I will respond to the Chair of the committee's question. I think it is a point that's very well made; I think it's pertinent to legislation that applies beyond Wales, an identical provision having been made to legislation that also applies to England. Whilst the provisions are connected to a variety listing regime that applies to Great Britain, we have opened a dialogue with...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much, Chair. I move the motion. These regulations amend the Seed Potatoes (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and the Marketing of Seeds and Plant Propagating Material (Amendment) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. They also revoke elements of the Retained EU Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and the Seeds (Amendment etc.) (Wales) (EU...
Lesley Griffiths: I can reassure the Member that I do take it very seriously. I have raised it with NRW. I can't remember off the top of my head if they've come back to me on that, but I will certainly chase that up when I get back to the office and write again to the Member.FootnoteLink
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Local authorities in South Wales East and Natural Resources Wales have responsibility for preventing land contamination through the planning regime, industrial regulation or implementing contaminated land legislation. We previously provided support through the contaminated land capital fund. We also fund land contamination training for local authorities and NRW.
Lesley Griffiths: Rhianon Passmore raises a really important point. This part of Welsh Government has recently come back into my portfolio, and I've taken a keen interest in it because I think, certainly over the course of the pandemic, we have seen an increase in fly-tipping that we would not want to see. So, we do continue to work closely with all local authorities so that we can support them in any measures...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Welsh Government funds the Fly-tipping Action Wales programme, which is led by Natural Resources Wales. The programme continues to support Caerphilly County Borough Council in tackling fly-tipping. This has included provision of surveillance equipment, signage and training. Work is ongoing to identify solutions to stop fly-tipping on common land in this region.
Lesley Griffiths: I absolutely agree with the Member, and certainly the failure to provide full replacement agricultural funding is clearly something that makes me very angry—it should make us all very angry. And every Member of this Senedd should be standing up for Wales to ensure we get that funding back to support our agricultural sector. Wales currently benefits from over £700 million from our...
