2. What assurance will the Cabinet Secretary give that the protection of Wales’s European marine sites will be maintained at least at its current level following the UK’s exit from the EU? OAQ52681

Thank you. I am committed to ensuring environmental protections are not eroded as a result of exiting the EU. Using powers under the EU withdrawal Act, we are working to ensure the same protections are in place and the law remains functional upon exit. This includes legislation underpinning Wales’s European marine sites.

I do welcome that commitment and I am fortunate to represent an area that includes a significant percentage of the Welsh marine environment. The marine protected areas in my region are home to some of the most biologically diverse habitats in Europe, and it's critical that it stays that way post Brexit. Many of the MPAs in Wales are in an unfavourable condition, and regular monitoring of their condition is essential to know how we can help them thrive. And currently we're obliged by European legislation to report on site condition and status, and to take action to make improvements where that is necessary. What I'm keen to know is how this will be governed post Brexit. Will there be, for example, an independent body that will take on that role, holding the Welsh Government to account, and to ensure that environmental compliance is adhered to once we leave the EU?

Thank you for that further question. Having a very clear understanding of the condition of site features, and the effective management of MPAs, is absolutely essential, so that we can achieve their conservation objectives, and delivering our ambition—that we have a very well-managed network of MPAs in Wales. You will be aware of the recently published MPA network management framework, and that sets out the structure for improving the management and condition of the network of MPAs in Wales. And it's been done alongside the MPA management steering group, and that takes us up to 2023, and that will continue to apply once we leave the EU. The framework's also got an action plan alongside it, and that's going to be updated on an annual basis, and that will set out the priority actions identified to maintain and improve the condition of the MPA network.