May I welcome the tone of the Minister’s statement today? The principles contained within it are robust, and I certainly couldn’t argue with them, but I also have to say that I had hoped to hear specific proposals in this statement in terms of how the Government is going to tackle the issues and the challenges set out by the Minister. Unfortunately, we’re still in a position where we are discussing some high-level ideas, without actually discussing what are the specific proposals put forward by the Government.

So, may I turn to some of these now, and ask a number of questions, if I may, of the Minister on these issues? For example, the Government held a very broad consultation on the management of the natural resources of Wales last year. It was a contentious consultation in certain areas, and most of those proposals now sit with the Minister, I believe. There were 56 proposals in this consultation. To date, we haven’t seen the summary report of the consultation that was promised in the new year, but certainly I haven’t seen anything that’s been presented to the Assembly. Of the 56 proposals, there’s no mention today which proposals the Government intends to proceed with, so I’d like to hear from the Minister which proposals she intends to take action on.

Fundamental to the challenge that the Minister has set out today on biodiversity, for example, and on the quality of the environment, are the area statements by NRW. When will we see these area statements, and when will we know what will happen at a very localised level in order to tackle some of these issues?

The Minister has mentioned forestry, and David Melding also made mention of this. I think it’s true to say that we’ve only reached 10 per cent of the current target that we have, so what exactly does the Government propose in order to hasten this process so that we can move far more swiftly with the planting of trees, particularly commercial forestry? I accept that we have a different landscape and a different environment to Scotland, but there is room to develop commercial forestry in Wales. For example, is there anything further that the Minister can tell us about enabling NRW to retain some of the funds raised through the leasing of land for renewable energy in order to redirect that funding directly to the planting of trees and also the commercial planting of trees as well?

The challenges of the national parks have already been mentioned. Although I do recognise that there is some additional funding available, the core funding for the national parks, particularly the areas of outstanding natural beauty, is very small and has been reduced over recent years. So, are they sufficiently funded to respond to the challenges set out in this statement? And may I ask whether NRW is sufficiently funded and in a sufficiently robust governance position to tackle some of these challenges too?

I accept that there is to be a statement in a few weeks’ time on air quality, but it is true to say that we do need very swift action by the Government in this area. I and Plaid Cymru are now of the view that we need no less than a clean air Act in order to tackle this issue, and I look forward to hearing what the Minister will have to say. I accept that it’s not contained within today’s statement, but I hope that we will see that very soon.