Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I want to set out today some changes to Welsh Government policy for woodlands. It is timely to do so now. The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union brings many challenges, but also provides us with a platform to build on Wales’s reputation for high-quality goods and services, underpinned by resilient natural resources. I want to make sure the forestry sector has clear and up-to-date policies to help them work collectively to meet this challenge. I also want to restate the Welsh Government’s long-term vision for woodlands and their hugely important role in delivering the sustainable management of our natural resources. I have made forestry one of my top priorities and will shortly publish a refresh of our woodlands strategy, 'Woodlands for Wales', a copy of which has been sent to you.

But, first, I would like to pay tribute to Martin Bishop, national manager for Wales of the Confederation of Forest Industries, or Confor, who tragically passed away recently. Martin was a passionate advocate for forestry and made valuable contributions to the woodland strategy over many years. I know his loss has been felt by all who have worked with him and I would like to formally express my deepest sympathies to Martin’s family, friends and colleagues.

Next month, the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs will bring forward proposals for post-Brexit reform that seeks to break down barriers between agriculture and forestry. We are working with a range of stakeholders, including farming unions, environmental bodies and forestry representatives, to deliver sustainable land use after Brexit. 

Our natural resources policy sets out our plans to address the challenges we know that our environment faces. In it, we are clear that Wales needs more woodlands and trees to help us to manage all of our natural resources sustainably. We have not done enough yet to increase woodland creation and so, for the first time, I have brought targets for woodland creation into the strategy. We need both large and small-scale, diverse woodlands that include both conifer and broad-leaved tree species. We must also recognise the importance of increasing the number of trees both in rural and urban environments.

Last year, the Cabinet Secretary accepted the recommendation of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee that we should bring the strategy up to date. The Welsh Government’s woodland strategy advisory panel has refreshed the strategy to make sure it aligns with new legislation. The fundamentals of the vision and the strategy remain the same. Our vision is for high-quality woodlands that provide real benefits to people, to industries and for the environment.

But this strategy is not simply a policy document. It gives practical guidance about the kinds of trees and woodlands we need in Wales and where we need them. It also gives clear direction to woodland managers and ensures that those who manage our woodlands are able to deliver sustainable management for all of our natural resources. It also has a strong link through the UK forestry standard to the certification standards operated by the Forest Stewardship Council and the programme for the endorsement of forest certification for timber and other woodland produce.

The strategy is important, but other actions are required if we are to achieve the aims it sets out. The Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee made 13 recommendations and my officials are working to take them forward. In particular, I am determined that those who want to plant trees have certainty about the kinds of woodlands we need, and the places where they can be planted. We want to make it easier to plant the right tree in the right place. The woodland opportunities map is currently being reviewed, and I am meeting forestry standards officials tomorrow to discuss this.

The committee also recommended that we provide more forestry training. In support of this, we are scoping options to develop an employer-led sector cluster, aimed at increasing skills around the forestry sector through a new apprenticeship project. The aim is to create up to 30 new apprentice positions in the Valleys taskforce area during 2019. 

To deliver a skilled, professional workforce across the whole forestry sector we are making use of the knowledge transfer and innovation scheme, to provide funding of over £3.2 million to the Focus on Forestry First training and skills project.

In April, I attended the tenth anniversary of the Welsh Government’s Plant! project. This is an inspiring initiative that had its roots in one young person’s idea—to plant a tree for every child born and adopted in Wales. This idea was taken up by the Welsh Government and has gone from strength to strength. I hope that a tree for every child will empower children to understand how they can do their bit for the environment.

We know that we can only achieve our ambition in this area by working with stakeholders, the public and politicians, and I’d encourage input from all those with an interest in our future forests to come forward with ideas and schemes that will expand our woodlands in Wales. Our ambitions for our people, our communities and our country are best achieved by working together. Today, I reaffirm our vision for forestry and our commitment to act on our ambition for Welsh woodlands.