9. Short Debate: Rural Wales — An economy to be promoted

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:52 pm on 7 November 2018.

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Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 6:52, 7 November 2018

Can I thank Angela Burns for allowing me to speak on this just briefly, considering I represent a rural constituency myself? I think tourism is key to the rural economy. We have outstanding, beautiful landscapes that we need to utilise.

There are a range of views on shooting, and mine are on record, so I won't go into that now, but there will be an impact on my constituency, for rural Wales, as a result of the proposals if they go ahead. But, I'll say to the Minister, you've got to recognise that if you bring forward proposals and you force a change, you have to support the businesses that are affected and recognise the consequences of your policy. So, that is extremely disappointing and unhelpful to the rural economy. There is a great deal of permanent employment and partial employment, or seasonal employment, that will also be affected as a result. So, I ask you again, Minister, and urge you to look carefully at this again and think of the consequences on the rural community.

And a further concern of course, is the 'Brexit and our land' consultation—[Interruption.]

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