The next item is a statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs on Welsh Government support for forestry in Wales. I call on the Minister to make the statement—Lesley Griffiths. 

Diolch, Llywydd. Our natural resources policy sets out our plans to address the challenges our environment faces and I would like to update Members on the work we are doing within this to support forestry in Wales. 

Our forests are an important part of our natural landscape. They are a social, economic and environmental asset. We need large and small-scale diverse woodlands that include conifer and broadleaved tree species that can provide a wide range of services, such as recreation, natural habitats and a sustainable fuel and timber resource. Expanding woodland cover is a crucial element of helping us to meet our statutory emission reduction targets. It is therefore essential we increase our store of carbon through our woodland-creation activities.

We have used rural development programme funding for a range of schemes that facilitate delivery of our forestry strategy objectives, and our sustainable management scheme is one of them. The scheme provides support for a range of proposals that will improve the management of our natural resources and will contribute to the well-being of our rural communities. Six forestry-related projects have been approved for funding through the scheme, which will contribute to the delivery of many of the objectives in our strategy and policy priorities in the natural resources policy.

Following a recommendation by the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee’s inquiry into forestry, we refreshed our woodland strategy. The fundamentals of it remain the same but it is no longer just a policy document. It is a practical document that provides direction for those who sustainably manage woodlands to maximise their benefits. 

The Welsh Government is committed to accelerating woodland creation, and our refreshed strategy gives guidance on the kinds of trees and woodlands we need in Wales and clear direction to woodland managers. To complement this, we are currently preparing woodland creation guidelines for land managers, businesses and NRW as the regulator in order to help them make better and quicker decisions on which trees to plant where.

In order to progress the Welsh Government’s plans to increase the area of new woodlands in Wales, as well as the First Minister’s commitment to create a new national forest for Wales, a further round of Glastir woodland creation will open on 1 April. There is also funding available for planting trees in areas that continue to be grazed as part of an agriforestry system.

We have already committed £480,000 towards our co-operative forest planning scheme specifically for people and co-operatives to work together and plan woodland creation at a significant and strategic scale. The Welsh Government recognises that, by supporting joined-up, collaborative action at the right scale, we can maximise opportunities to improve the services our natural resources provide.

Of course, it is not just the planting of new trees that is important, but also managing, preserving and developing existing woodlands. Ancient and veteran trees are irreplaceable natural resources, some of which have significant landscape, biodiversity and cultural value. I am therefore delighted our new 'Planning Policy Wales' edition 10 guidance strengthens their protection, as well as advocating compensatory planting for any woodland losses incurred as a consequence of development.

It is important to recognise that there can be some real challenges for landowners in managing existing forestry especially if, in a changing climate, there is a rise in tree diseases that could have a devastating impact on their woodlands. For this reason, I want to ensure we support private landowners and managers who are currently faced with the disease of Larch phytophthora ramorum. Therefore, we will open a new window for Glastir woodland restoration applications from 1 April. Members will be aware the disease has been an unprecedented challenge on the public estate, but Natural Resources Wales has responded well. Where trees have had to be felled, we are replanting with more resilient species in order to develop healthier and more varied woodlands. These will provide a greater variety of trees to produce high-quality Welsh wood and forests, as well as reducing their vulnerability to disease in the future. 

Forestry is not just good for our environment and our well-being, it is also good for our economy. Well-managed woodlands can provide a continuous, sustainable supply of timber, which is why we want to encourage better management of our existing woodlands across Wales. We've already committed £5 million of rural development plan funding towards our very popular timber business investment scheme, and we've committed a further £2 million towards a fourth round of funding, which we opened for expressions of interest on 1 February. The scheme provides capital funding for improvements that add value to forests for woodland management activities, timber harvesting and timber processing.

The high-quality timber we produce will be put to many uses. I am delighted, therefore, that 20 out of 24 developments accepted into the Welsh Government's innovative housing programme last year have a timber element. We expect to see more timber-based innovation in the programme this year, not just in building the social and affordable homes of the future, but championing innovation relating to Welsh timber in the supply chains that support house building here in Wales.

Increasing the use of timber will drive up demand and encourage new woodland creation and better forest management in Wales. Looking ahead with this increase in mind, we've been working with stakeholders from the forestry sector to examine the skills and recruitment needs required to support an increase in demand for timber, and we've introduced a two-year pilot scheme for up to 30 forestry apprenticeships.

I recently met with representatives of the Confederation of Forest Industries. They told me they are willing to work with NRW and Welsh Government, and are confident there are clear solutions to the concerns they've expressed in the past. As a result, we will be in a stronger position to see the forestry sector deliver even more value to the Welsh economy, and the industry can make a greater contribution to protecting and enhancing our natural environment.

Clearly, Minister, you're the Minister on point today, with two statements coming before the Plenary, so we'll be seeing a lot of each other as the afternoon progresses. Sadly, the forestry sector hasn't got a brilliant track record here in Wales. It should have a brilliant track record, because it is a huge industry—it employs 10,000 workers and has a turnover of £520 million. That, by any measure, is a substantial industry, especially in a rural economy that is crying out for new opportunities. But, regrettably, because of failed initiatives from successive Welsh Governments, we haven't seen the initiatives come forward to reinvigorate the sector. I think maybe the last paragraph of this statement indicates that by the recent meeting that you had with the industry, which says that they are 'willing to work with', which is something to be commended, but doesn't offer any comment on past performance, on which the silence most probably tells its own story.

The Welsh Government have had various initiatives over previous years, i.e. establishing 100,000 hectares between 2010 and 2030. As we know from the work that has been undertaken, instead of hitting the 5,000 hectares per year target, in the total run only 3,700 hectares have been planted in that time. In 2016, only 39 hectares of productive forest were planted here in Wales. Really, we've just got to get this right, and in particular you, as the Minister, now need to take the business by the scruff of the neck and work with the industry so that we can build on those numbers that I touched on—on the 10,000 workers and the £520 million turnover. Because it is an industry with a future—this isn't an industry that is looking to be managed into decline. There are many good examples in Scotland, for example, and in England, where the forestry sector has moved onto a more sustainable footing. Regrettably, we can point to, obviously, the reports into Natural Resources Wales's handling and the assimilation of the Forestry Commission's assets into NRW and the contracts that were brought forward from various commercial deals that have deprived the sector of income, because, as the auditor general has highlighted, and, as the Public Accounts Committee in its investigation has highlighted, that has arisen through bad practice and a loss of income into the sector.

I do appreciate the difficulties around larch and the dieback, and the unforeseen circumstances where, say five or 10 years ago, when structural plans were being put in place, these types of instances wouldn't have occurred to planners at that particular time. But that's not to say that there haven't been missed opportunities. I would call on the Minister to look at—if she could answer this question directly—making greater flexibility into the applications that could be allowed for woodland planting. In England, for example, instead of having windows of bidding and applications, it's a continuous process, because, obviously, via the planning route, companies, obviously, and farmers, in particular, who might be looking to convert their land, can't be constrained by some administrative window. They need as a great a flexibility in the scheme rules as possible, and I'd be grateful to understand will the Minister be considering that flexibility within the new scheme that she announced, obviously, that she's making available as of 1 April.

Equally, the lack of planting on behalf of NRW—as I understand it, the deficit now is some 6,000 hectares of replanting on the NRW estate, and whilst in the statement the Minister does point out her confidence around NRW and their ability to put a more mixed estate and mixed planting opportunities in place so that the commercial realisation in 10, 15, 20 years' time can be achieved, it is a fact that replanting rates aren't where they should be. If NRW was a private company, action would have been taken against them for not replanting those areas. So, again, I would like to understand from the Minister, with her deliberations over the last couple of months, has she confidence that this deficit will be addressed and that 6,000 hectares to date will be reversed and, actually, replanting will gather pace?

Also, there is the issue about managing our woodlands as well, and, under the current Glastir model, there isn't an opportunity to get money for management, as I understand it, in the scheme. At the moment, of the 300,000 hectares of Welsh forests, 60,000 hectares are unmanaged. There is an opportunity to look at managing to a far greater degree the forests that we have and the woodlands that we have so we can maximise their potential. And, again, I would be grateful if the Minister could indicate whether she or her officials have given any consideration to supporting bringing that 60,000 hectares of unmanaged forestry into some sort of scheme that could best utilise that area that is available within the forestry estate.

It is obviously very heartening to hear of apprenticeships being created. That is a vital route into the industry, and whilst I identified recently the lack of agricultural apprenticeships—less than 1 per cent of all apprenticeships, regrettably, are in agriculture—I would suggest the numbers are even poorer in the forestry sector. In her discussions with the industry, has she identified ways of bringing in new apprenticeship opportunities? Again, I identify that within the statement, but 30 apprenticeship opportunities over two years in an industry that's worth in excess of £0.5 billion—it's a welcome start, but it isn't going to change the world, it's not. When we look at the opportunities, especially in construction, for using timber products, there is a great opportunity here to open up new avenues for young entrants into the industry. Thank you, Minister.

I thank Andrew R.T. Davies for that series of questions and observations. You are right—it is a huge industry, and I think it's one that we need to value and care for. I mentioned about my meeting with Confor and NRW specifically because the difficulties are very well rehearsed. We had a long debate on the Grant Thornton report and, clearly, things have been said publicly that I wanted to ensure would not be a barrier for what we were planning to do around the forestry industry. And I'm very pleased that Confor and NRW, who I met separately, have now had the opportunity to meet together and are going to work together to make sure that we do now start to see far more trees planted. I'm absolutely in agreement around the target that we set. We have not seen the delivery of the number of trees we would want to, and, whilst I appreciate this is a long-term aspiration, I think we need to take a range of measures to make sure that we do make some progress in the short term, and that's what we'll be doing with our strategy.

You are right—we have had various initiatives and we've certainly got many schemes, and you referred to the schemes and the way that they are funded. I'm very happy to look at if there's an opportunity to deliver those schemes in a different way. I certainly think, post Brexit, agriculture—so, 'Brexit and our land', for instance; you'll be aware that we are bringing forward payments in relation to public goods. Those are areas where there isn't a market at the moment, so we can certainly look at how that's funded, for instance, in the way that you referred to.  

Around targets, Government can't do this on their own; there's a great deal of forestry that is privately owned. I think we all have to work together on it. When I was out in New Zealand last year, looking at primarily agriculture schemes, I did have a very long conversation with the Minister there who's responsible for forestry, and their target is, I think, incredibly ambitious, but, when you dug down again, it wasn't just Government doing that on its own—it was working with land managers, farmers. Lots of forestry in New Zealand is owned privately and, when I found out about 5 per cent of land in Wales is also owned privately, I think it is about all coming together to make sure we make the very best of it. I agree with what you say about apprenticeships. I'm very pleased to see that we have 30 over two years, but, again, in my discussions with Confor, I think they too accept that we need to be looking at increasing that number significantly.  

NRW do have significant land bank for trees—where they've had to fell trees due to disease you referred to, but for other reasons. I met with the chair and chief executive just a couple of weeks ago and they are certainly committed to reforesting that land—I think by 2022 was the year they were hopeful for. I'm certainly looking to see if I can give some additional funding to NRW to support that because I do think that is absolutely the way forward and it will help us reach our targets.

Of course, there’s no doubt that the lack of tree planting, the Government’s failures and NRW’s failings in more recent years have undermined and reduced the capacity of Wales to tackle climate change, to manage flood risk and to give a boost to habitats and biodiversity and all the benefits that come from successful forestry policy. Clearly, we’re not delivering what we would all wish to see delivered at the moment. So, it is about time for the Government to grasp the nettle in this area and to look anew at ensuring that what is a Government ambition is fit for purpose, and, more importantly, that that is deliverable in a meaningful and realistic manner.

Now, if I’ve understood it correctly, NRW manages 80 per cent of woodland in Wales directly and regulates the other 20 per cent. You state that you want to create guidelines for land managers, businesses and NRW to make better decisions and to make swifter decisions. That’s to be welcomed, but are you confident that NRW has the necessary resources to deliver that effectively? Because, clearly, I’ve raised on a number of occasions the concern that there are more and more requirements placed upon them and that the increase in their budget doesn’t reflect that; indeed, to the contrary, in real terms, the budget is shrinking. I’m still concerned that there isn’t sufficient experience on the NRW board to give the necessary guidance and leadership in this sector.

Also, there’s demand—. I would be interested to hear whether you, in the context of setting targets or trying to reach the targets that we want to reach over the next few years, would be willing to commit to creating a strategic environmental assessment to run alongside those targets in order to support the strengthening of biodiversity in those forestry areas. Because there are major opportunities, not only in terms of woodland management, but also in terms of creating new woodland—that they could be created in a way where you have an appropriate mix of species in order to create habitats and strengthen biodiversity.

You’ve mentioned the creation of new rounds of Glastir woodland and the restoration of Glastir woodland. Now, of course, Glastir schemes have been criticised in the past for being too prescriptive and too complex. Do you therefore intend to make any changes, or are you going to continue with the plans as they have existed?

Also, of course, RDP funds pay for much of this. We all know—or don’t know, perhaps—what will happen in that context. So, I don’t know if you have considered what post-Brexit funding source you will use, or are you simply relying on this pledge that we will be no worse-off financially? Because this is a more long-term sector than most and therefore having continuity and long-term commitments in terms of funding is crucially important. I would call on you to incorporate targets that take us to 2050 or even to 2100, because that's the long-term measure of the work that's happening in this sector and that's what we need in order to give the confidence to the sector for it to develop here in Wales. Now, we’ve heard reference to the failings of NRW in this area over the past few years, and I would encourage you to do everything you can to rebuild that relationship between the sector and the Government and NRW.

One of the things that I've called for is an independent review to establish whether it is still appropriate for NRW to continue to manage the commercial forestry estate in Wales. I would echo that demand today, and if there were a conclusion that that isn't appropriate then I would certainly wish to see that inquiry considering potential alternative models. Now, the public forestry estate in Wales should be managed in a way that is an exemplar in terms of sustainable forestry, showing how biodiversity, climate change, social factors and economic factors can all come together and also how some of those tensions can be managed appropriately, but, to date, NRW has failed in that regard. Do you therefore recognise that there's a long way to go before we reach where we want to be?

Diolch, Llyr Huws Gruffydd, for those questions. In relation to NRW, as I said in my response to Andrew R.T. Davies, obviously, we've had a very long debate in the Chamber about it, and you'll be aware that I disagreed with you that an independent review was necessary, and I still hold that viewpoint. Obviously, Grant Thornton went in, they did a report, NRW have accepted the recommendations that Grant Thornton made in relation to their part of the work. We had one as a Government, and I've fully accepted that recommendation. I have full confidence in the new chair, chief executive and board—you'll be aware we replaced half the board members—to take this forward, but I do think you are absolutely right in saying that the relationship has to be rebuilt. And that's why I was so keen to get Confor in and NRW in and then making sure that they meet together. My officials have been monitoring it, my officials have been meeting with Confor separately to ensure that that relationship can be rebuilt, and, as I said in the opening statement, Confor have said they're very pleased to take that work forward. However, I will be keeping—I meet every month with the interim chair and chief executive, and I will be keeping a very close eye on it, because I think you're absolutely right: we should be an exemplar in this area, so it's very important that relationship is a fruitful one.

Again, you mentioned in that debate, I think, that you were concerned about the lack of forestry experience on the board. As I mentioned, we replaced six members back in November. One of the members on the board, I think, has the skills around the governance and the business aspect of forestry, so I do think we do have the right mix of people on the board, but, again, it's something that I'm also very keen to keep a very close eye on.

You mentioned the mix of trees, and this is something—when I came into portfolio initially, I was told by a variety of people that we were planting the wrong trees in the wrong places, and by other people that we were planting the right trees in the right places. So, I remember getting everybody in a room together to say, 'Right, I need to know what trees we need to plant in which place to make sure that we always plant the right tree in the right place.' And I think that, when we bring our strategy forward, and it's obviously very linked into our post-Brexit agricultural policy, it's really important that we ensure we get that mix right.

Because it's such a long-term sector, I think a 2050 target would be good, and I mentioned in my answer to Andrew R.T. Davies, that I talked to the New Zealand Minister about this, and their target was for the same—I think it was 50 years down the line, and I can see the benefits of doing that because I think it would be for everybody to understand. Certainly, when I speak particularly to farmers about how they could perhaps help us achieve our targets, one of the things they say is that, because it's such a long-term initiative, they're sort of reluctant to plant trees on agricultural land, because they know they've lost it for 30 years. But, again, in discussions and certainly in many of the responses we've had to 'Brexit and our land', I think that perhaps is changing a little bit and farmers do want to help us reach our forestry targets.

In relation to the RDP, you're right, we are sort of holding the UK Government to that pledge that Wales would not lose a penny if we left the European Union, and I think that it is absolutely right that we hold them to that, but, clearly, we will always need to put funding into this part of the portfolio. But, obviously, a replacement for the RDP we haven't looked at in great detail because we expect to have the funding that we receive from Europe now.

I welcome the Government's statement. I just can't understand why everybody else doesn't believe in the importance of forests, because I actually believe it's one of the most important things we have. I don't believe you can actually have too many trees, and it always pains me when I see a number of trees being chopped down. In Rebecca Evans's constituency, a giant redwood has been chopped down in Penllergaer. That's a matter of massive local concern, and it's also a matter of concern—the number of trees in that area that are being removed. So, I think that we really do need to protect trees more than we do now. Tree preservation orders are very good. They give more of an illusion of protection than actual protection, but when they've had an accident and they've knocked a tree down, you can't un-accident the removal of a tree. I'll tell you what, if there are two things I know: grade II listed buildings spontaneously combust, and people driving around trees have accidents at fairly regular intervals, which ends up knocking down trees that have tree preservation orders on them. Both of those I find amazing, and it must be serendipity that causes them.

Can I welcome the co-operative forest planning scheme, specifically for people and co-operatives to work together and plan woodland creation at a significant and strategic scale? I support the planting of mixed forestry as opposed to a monoculture of conifers. There's been a number of tree diseases, such as Dutch elm disease, ash dieback, and the one the Minister pronounced earlier, which I'm not going to take on. Does the Minister accept that mixed forests provide some protection against tree diseases, and that such mixed forests should include broadleaved trees? Does the Minister accept that we need annual regional forestry targets? We tend to have long-term targets, but the long term, as people involved in financial planning will tell you, is made up of a lot of short terms. So, if you want to do something in the long term, you have to successfully deal with a number of short terms to get there.

Finally, something I've never understood, and it used to exist under the old county plan where land was identified for a whole range of uses: why cannot local development plans identify land for forestry in such a way that people know that that land is suitable?

Thank you, Mike Hedges, for that list of questions. I agree with you: I don't think you can have too many trees. I'm not aware of the reasons why the trees were being taken down in my friend Rebecca Evans's constituency, but I have to say, one of the most deep experiences I've had lately was I was very fortunate to visit Muir Woods in San Francisco when I was there last September for the global action climate summit, and I have to say, the air that you could breathe in that redwood forest was truly incredible. It made me realise how fortunate they are to have that type of tree out in California.

I think you're right about the mix of trees, and as I said in my response to Llyr Huws Gruffydd, it's really important that you plant the right trees in the right places and, so, whether that be conifer in some areas or broadleaved in others, it's absolutely vital that we get that right. I'm very pleased you welcome the co-operative forest planning scheme. I mentioned in my opening statement we've put £480,000 into that. We've had two rounds, and it really does encourage planning for woodland creation at a very significant and strategic scale that we haven't seen before.

I think the long-term target is very necessary for the industry, but, of course, if you have an annual target, it's much easier to monitor it, which is what we had and where we realised that we weren't planting the number of trees that we would all want to see. Around ancient, veteran and heritage trees, the woodland strategy does acknowledge the importance of ancient woodlands and, obviously, our natural resources policy sets out a commitment to very carefully manage those trees and woodlands that have such a high environmental value, and I mentioned, again, that 'Planning Policy Wales' has certainly given guidance to strengthen that aspect. 

Can I thank the Minister for her statement today on this very important subject? The Minister will be aware that Clifford Jones Timber in Ruthin is one of the largest producers in the UK of wood and timber posts. And I know that you visited Clifford Jones yourself to talk about some of their concerns about timber supply, particularly levels of conifer planting in terms of that coming through into the timber supply, and their concerns have been long held regarding that particular issue. So, I'm pleased to see that the Welsh Government is aiming to increase the supply in future years and to incentivise landowners to actually do more planting in the future.

Can you tell me, though, Minister—? In terms of the work that Natural Resources Wales is doing, I appreciate its focus must be, more widely, on the benefits of its land, not just in terms of developing a crop and then harvesting it and bringing that crop into use in terms of supply, but in terms, also, of recreational opportunities on its land. Again, Minister, I know that you've been to the forest around Llyn Brenig—Clocaenog forest in my constituency in the past, and you will have seen the wealth of opportunities that there are there for recreation. I don't think we're exploiting those opportunities enough; I think the same could be said, also, for parts of Llandegla forest with some of their cycle trails and carriage trails as well. So, I would be interested to know how you intend to ensure that those things are not overlooked as part of the forestry management plan.

And secondly, can I ask whether the Government has considered updating the provisions in the Forestry Act 1967, particularly in relation to felling licences? The Minister will be aware of my keen interest in the red squirrel population here in Wales, and some of the concerns that have been expressed by those who are involved in red squirrel conservation have surrounded the felling licence regime that currently prevails in Wales at the moment, which, as I understand it, cannot refuse a licence for the purpose of conserving or enhancing flora or fauna under the provisions in the 1967 Act. That is a concern to any wildlife enthusiast, not just those who are concerned about red squirrel populations.

Now, clearly, in Scotland, as I understand it, some action is being taken to update the provisions of the Act so that there can be some conditions attached to licences that look after the interests of wildlife, and I think that it's probably time that we started looking at opportunities to do the same here in Wales. I'm sure that Natural Resources Wales and that your Government's intentions are to do what they can to conserve wildlife. I wonder whether we can take this opportunity now to have some sort of commitment from the Government in terms of looking at these provisions going forward. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, I certainly had a very informative visit to Clifford Jones Timber in Ruthin, where they were particularly helpful in explaining the barriers that they certainly have, and clearly, the day I went there, their yard was probably half full, whereas normally, it would be 100 per cent storage. So, again, they were very helpful. I took along officials and people from NRW so, again, we could understand the very difficult concerns they had.

I think you make a very important point about recreation and health and social inclusion, and certainly, again, I visited Brenig forest to see the work that was being undertaken for the public to enjoy, but also, the people who were volunteering and working in the forest, you could see the benefits to their health and well-being too. And of course, Llandegla is very close to my home; I visit there very often, and I think that is an example where they have absolutely maximised the benefits from that forest. You couldn't even get into the car park, let alone anywhere else, because of the mountain biking, the walking and the cafe that serves the best bacon sandwich in the country, apparently.

In relation to your issue around felling, I think it is acknowledged that the Forestry Act is limited in the nature of conditions that it can apply to and subsequently enforce upon a felling licence. I am aware of the work being undertaken by Scotland, and I have asked officials to look at this for me. I mean, my briefing refers to grey squirrels and deer, but I'm sure that red squirrels are affected in the same way.

I'd like to thank the Minister for her statement because it's very important, particularly highlighting the point that NRW took with the phytophthora ramorum disease, and particularly the devastation we saw in the Afan valley as a consequence of that. We're still seeing a large proportion of that valled felled and not replaced. And I welcome a comment in your statement, talking about a mixture of leaf regarding replacement, but there are also some areas, and some of my constituents are actually saying they like to see the trees gone because they have a wider view and more light, as it happens—. But we need to look at if there are areas that are not going to be replaced, for whatever reason—it could be financial as a possibility—we have a strategy as to what we do with those areas so we know what's going to go on that land, but can we look, also, at how we can use—? I agree with Darren Millar that that the leisure activities are huge, the opportunities there. If you want to go to another place, come to the Afan valley and see the mountain biking there. We might not have the best bacon butties, but we'll definitely give you a very warm welcome. But these opportunities are huge for local communities and ex-mining Valleys that are now seeing the change from the industrial past to a tourism future, and I think it's important we look at and address that aspect. 

But, secondly, can we also look at—you haven't talked about it—waste wood and contracting for timber, because we have biomass plants that obviously benefit from some of the woods that exist? In my constituency, we have two biomass plants, one for contaminated wood and one for virgin wood, and clearly, the contract for virgin wood was with NRW, and we need to look at how we can continue to deliver virgin wood, which is no longer needed but can still be used for a beneficial purpose. You haven't discussed that in your statement. Perhaps we can look at how we can see how that aspect of the work can also be maintaining the forestry, because it helps to maintain the forestry. It talks about replanting, but it also uses scrub wood that is left on the land when many trees are felled. 

Thank you, David Rees, for those questions. I'm very aware of the area in your constituency that has lost a significant number of trees due to disease, and I mentioned in an earlier answer that I know NRW, through my discussions with the chief executive, have some significant—. I think they're over there; I think they keep about 4 per cent of land available for forestry, and I think they're running at 4.75 per cent at the current time, and that's why I'm looking to see if I can give them some additional funding, because, clearly, everybody's budgets are under pressure. So, I would very much like to see if I could support them to do some reforestation in the very near future.

I am aware of the leisure development that's been proposed in your constituency. I know my officials are working closely with Neath Port Talbot local authority in relation to that. NRW has a timber marketing plan, which runs from the period of 2017 to 2022, and that explains their approach to the harvesting and marketing of timber from the Welsh Government woodland estate. They will continue to supply timber in line with that plan, and I'd be very happy to ask them to look at the point you raised. 

Thank you, Minister.