Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:44 pm on 12 February 2019.
Well, Llywydd, I understand entirely the points that the Member is making, and the importance of them in ensuring that an agriculture Bill of our own for Wales can be brought forward in a way that offers the Assembly the time it will need to consider such an important Bill. Andrew R.T. Davies will, I think, be happy to recognise the fact that we have been able to work closely with the UK Government in relation to the Agriculture Bill, which is currently going through the House of Commons, that, as a result of the agreements we have now reached with the UK Government, we are confident that that Bill will provide Welsh Ministers with all the legislative tools we need to deal with the immediate impacts of leaving the European Union and there will be no gap in the statute book for Wales as a result of those agreements. But, as he says, the Minister has made it clear that, through the 'Brexit and our land' consultation and the continuing dialogue that she has with farmers' unions and others, it is her intention to bring forward an agriculture Bill for Wales. And, given all the uncertainties of the world that we live in, it is our intention to do that during this Assembly term.