2. Will the First Minister outline what the Welsh Government is doing to support farmers in Pembrokeshire? OAQ(5)0365(FM)

The Welsh Government is working to support the farming industry in Pembrokeshire, as in all parts of Wales.

First Minister, as I’m sure you are aware, a number of farmers in my constituency are hugely concerned about the possibility of the introduction of nitrate vulnerable zones, which will have a huge impact on their businesses and on the rural economy more generally. Your Government’s consultation has now been concluded, so can you tell us when you will take a decision on this issue? In the meantime, can I urge you to look at this issue again and to consider introducing a voluntary approach to improve water quality, because that’s the way to support our farmers, by working with them, rather than introducing burdensome regulation?

Well, the responses to the consultation will be considered in detail over the ensuing weeks, and, of course, there will be a discussion with the agriculture industry over those weeks, as part of the review that has taken place.

What will you do now, First Minister, to protect farmers in Pembrokeshire and the length and breadth of Wales now that the Prime Minister, Theresa May, has decided that we are going to be outwith the single market, that there will be tariffs on Welsh produce under the World Trade Organization rules, and that there is to be a free trade market with New Zealand, from where lamb can come in and undermine the quality produce of Wales? So, what will you, as a Government, do now to protect the interests of Wales in the face of a decision taken by the Conservatives in Westminster to make farmers in Wales poorer and less able to compete on a global basis?