Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 1:41 pm on 23 January 2019.

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Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative 1:41, 23 January 2019

I think I take that as a vote of confidence in NRW's ability to address the concerns in the letter that has been put forward by 10—and I think it's an unprecedented number—processors here in Wales.

Another point that has come forward is that, obviously, in the response today, there's much emphasis on Grant Thornton's independent inquiry looking at some of the issues that have been flagged historically about NRW. I am told that Grant Thornton have not engaged with many of these processors, if indeed any of these processors, in seeking their views on the way forward on the forestry sector. Can you give confirmation today, and is it your understanding, that the terms of reference for Grant Thornton were to take an analysis of the sector's performance, but, importantly, to engage with stakeholders such as the processors, and, if that hasn't happened, you will instruct NRW to go back to the processors and actually have their input into any recommendations that might emerge from this independent report?