Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs

QNR – in the Senedd on 24 May 2017.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour

(Translated) What plans does the Cabinet Secretary have to prepare for the withdrawal of funding from the 2020 Rural Development Plan?

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour

In March, I committed the final tranche of the 2014-20 rural development programme to make full use of the current UK Treasury guarantee. However, what is clearly needed is for the UK Government to honour the commitment that Wales would not lose a penny as a result of EU exit.

Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative

(Translated) Will the Cabinet Secretary outline how the Welsh Government is supporting people in fuel poverty?

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour

Since 2011, we have invested over £217 million in Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest and Arbed schemes, improving the energy efficiency of over 39,000 homes. We are investing a further £104 million over the next four years to improve an additional 25,000 homes.

Photo of Gareth Bennett Gareth Bennett UKIP

(Translated) Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the maintenance of footpaths and bridleways in Wales?

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour

Footpath and bridleway maintenance is primarily the responsibility of local authorities. Paths connect communities, provide opportunities for healthy recreation and support tourism. The Welsh Government provides financial support to local authorities to deliver path improvements. This funding has made over 9,000 km of paths easier to use.

Photo of Mr Neil Hamilton Mr Neil Hamilton UKIP

(Translated) Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the data released by the TB dashboard?

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour

TB is a very complex disease. The information on the dashboard comes directly from our epidemiology team, who are experts on the disease. The dashboard shows the disease situation at a national and regional level and presents data in a visual way to make the information easier to understand.

Photo of Mr Simon Thomas Mr Simon Thomas Plaid Cymru

(Translated) What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the impact that the wider use of electrical cars will have on air pollution in Wales?

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour

(Translated)

Electric vehicles offer a potential long-term solution to improving urban air quality. We are working closely across the Welsh Government to assess all options for emission improvements.

Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour

(Translated) Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on efforts to tackle Japanese knotweed in Wales?

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour

Progress has been made on the biocontrol of Japanese knotweed using psyllid stocks from Japan. An improved delivery method has resulted in better survival of the psyllids, which is a key development in tackling Japanese knotweed. Further releases of the psyllid are planned later in 2017.