Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:37 pm on 6 June 2017.
No, I’m not complacent at all, and I hope, in my opening remarks, I made that very clear. I will come back to the Sandford principle because, obviously, several Members have raised that in their contributions.
If I can start with Simon Thomas’s contribution: you specifically mentioned about RSPB Cymru, who were represented on the working group. Other people have said to me that it does reflect—they’re the only people who have said it doesn’t reflect the report. So, on the basis that you can’t please all the people all the time, you know, it is very unfortunate that the RSPB feel that way and I think that’s something that we need to discuss further with them.
David Melding referred again to the Sandford principle. We’ve now introduced legislation in Wales with our own principles, to ensure that our natural resources are managed in ways that maintain and enhance the resilience of our environment, and that’s absolutely the bedrock for environmental policy in Wales and that really should build on AONBs and our national parks.
John Griffiths, you were the only person to mention seascapes. You’re absolutely right, it is about all our landscapes and the work that will be undertaken going forward.
David Rowlands asked why there is a need for legislation. Well, this emerged from the process that was established to consider this. You also wrongly asserted that Sandford relates to new development and that, I think, is what’s triggered the level of correspondence that we’ve all received and why they say they’re not supported. But as I said in my answer to David Melding, we have our own principles here in Wales.
Sian Gwenllian talked about Snowdonia and, again, her concerned belief that parks were under threat. Well, that hasn’t come from the Welsh Government. Again, I hope I’ve reiterated that in my comments.
Janet Finch-Saunders referred to Snowdonia. As a north Walian, Snowdonia is incredibly dear to me, and it’s incredibly dear to the Welsh Government. I go back to what I just said to Sian Gwenllian: I don’t know where this has come from but it hasn’t come from Welsh Government. Sadly, we’re not in a position to protect national park budgets due to the austerity of your Government in Westminster, but hopefully that will change on Thursday.
Huw Irranca-Davies referred to that resourcing approach—it’s a very important point, and I think that really came out in the working group and we need to look at that, going forward.
Suzy Davies, you asked about Dyfi Biosphere—I think there is much to commend that approach, but, again, that needs to be consulted upon. The report from the working group did suggest exploring several ways of looking at that, but that really will need to be consulted upon.
Neil Hamilton, you often raise China with me. Well, do we just throw our hands up in the air and say, ‘Well, we won’t do what we think we need to do’? I have to say, they are starting to—. You know, renewable energy—I was reading an article last week about the level of renewable energy they’re bringing forward.
Janet Finch-Saunders also referred to extending Sandford to AONBs. Well, they only have one purpose, AONBs, and that’s to conserve, so, really, Sandford couldn’t be extended to AONBs.
Just in conclusion, Presiding Officer—[Interruption.]